PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES MINISTRY ALLOCATES RM19 MLN FOR COCOA PROJECT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) – The Plantation and Commodities Ministry, through the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB), has allocated RM19 million from 2024 to 2026 for the Cocoa Farm Rehabilitation Project across Malaysia to enhance cultivation as a key source of the country's economy.

The ministry said it is implementing the Cocoa Yield Production Stimulus Programme to increase planted areas by 550 hectares and to facilitate mini cocoa processing infrastructure.

It also said the Smallholder Farm Road Project is being implemented to ease transportation of cocoa produce from remote areas to cocoa bean collection centres.

Training and capacity building for growers, through the Cocoa Farmer Modernisation Programme, are also provided, giving selected smallholders exposure to modern farming equipment and facilities.

“MCB is also conducting research and development to produce new technologies and discoveries to overcome key challenges in the upstream cocoa sector, as well as strengthen its marketing chain through guided cooperatives in each region.

“The ministry also encourages the production of premium products such as ‘single origin’ and ‘fine flavour’ to brand local cocoa with its unique taste,” it said in a written reply on the Dewan Rakyat website today.

The ministry was responding to a question from Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parti Buntar) on the steps and programmes by the ministry to improve coconut and cocoa cultivation as the country’s key economic sources.

The ministry also informed the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, through the Agriculture Department, that it is cognisant of developing the coconut industry as a national industry.

The Plantation and Commodities Ministry also said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has allocated RM5 million this year under the New Wealth Source Programme to improve cultivation and expand coconut plantation acreage.

The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry also incentivises farmers involved in the Coconut Industry Development Project with agricultural inputs (seedlings, fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides) and basic farm infrastructure assistance such as land preparation, drainage, and small farm equipment, the Plantations and Commodities Ministry said.

“The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry also encourages the cultivation of high-yield coconut varieties such as hybrid and ‘dwarf’ types, including Matag Coconut, Malayan Red Dwarf, Malayan Yellow Dwarf, and Pandan Coconut.

“These varieties will help increase coconut productivity, boosting yields and farmers’ incomes,” it said.

-- BERNAMA