KOTA SAMARAHAN, June 5 -- The Malaysian Cocoa Board has established the Sarawak Cocoa Cluster (SARA Cocoa Cluster) to enhance cocoa cultivation and production in the state.

Plantation and Commodity Industries deputy minister Willie Mongin said today that the establishment of the cluster was also in line with Sarawak's huge potential to become a producer of cocoa-based products, particularly chocolate products.

"SARA Cocoa Cluster is a cocoa cultivation area currently concentrated in Sebuyau, Asajaya, Kota Samarahan and Padawan, and will be expanded to Tebedu and Serian," he told a press conference at the SARA Cocoa Cluster construction site here.

 He said the complex costing RM4.66 million is scheduled to be completed in October and expected to start operating in December this year.

"It will serve as a centre for processing cocoa seeds, processing and sale of chocolate products as well as the Sarawak Cocoa Cluster Cooperative’s office," he said.

Willie said the cocoa cluster chain development programme is a game-changer mooted by the ministry and implemented under the "Farm to Table" concept or "bean to chocolate" model to encourage cocoa-based downstream activities.

"Through this programme, the production of cocoa beans and earnings of cocoa entrepreneurs as well as local commodities can be increased," he said, inviting investors to put their money into the downstream cocoa industry in Sarawak.

He said cocoa smallholders were given subsidies to develop potential new crops while those planning to expand or rehabilitate their farms received assistance.

According to him, RM12.8 million was set aside under the 11th Malaysia Plan for development purposes while under the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package 2020, the government has allocated RM2.69 million in agricultural input to 4,943 eligible cocoa farmers, involving 3,895 hectares across the country.

"Hopefully, the grant can assist cocoa smallholders affected by the Covid-19 outbreak for the purpose of maintaining their farms," he said.

-- BERNAMA

 https://www.bernama.com/en/business/news.php?id=1848321

Source: Bernama.com