By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, March 19: There are no immediate plan to expand Cocoa Cluster Complex to other divisions in Sarawak for the time being, but the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities would consider where there is high and strong demand. Â
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Willie Mongin said the Cocoa Cluser Complex at Kota Samarahan is sufficient for cocoa downstream activity in processing chocolate.
“At the moment, there is no immediate plan to set up Cocoa Cluster Complex similar to that in Kota Samarahan which processes about 50 tonnes of cocoa beans per year.
“But the government is more than willing to have such a complex in other divisions if there is demand,” he told reporters today after officiating at the ‘Jelajah Agrikomoditi #KeluargaMalaysia 2022’ at Teng Bukap community hall in Padawan, here.
The programme, organised by Malaysia Cocoa Board (MCB), was attended by 114 women participants from women associations and single mothers to expose them to single origin chocolate processing techniques.
According to Willie, the current production of cocoa does not warrant the addition of the Cluster Cocoa Complex, adding that the State still imports cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana.
The Puncak Borneo MP added that there are five cocoa planting areas, which are at Padawan in Kuching, Julau, Asajaya, Serian and Sarikei.
“The ministry, through MCB is focussing on having more cocoa clusters, and to have Cluster Cocoa Complex in other divisions, we will make a study based on demand,” he asserted.
Willie urged women in the area to venture into the business, stressing that assistance is always available.
Present among others were MCB manager of Cocoa Development and Research Centre, Kota Samarahan Navies Maisin.— DayakDaily
