Sarawak, Borneo Aromatic ink deal to boost coconut sector
Published on: Friday, August 25, 2023
By: Bernama
Dr Rundi (third right) and Martin (fourth right) witness officials from the Sarawak DoA and Borneo Aromatic Coconut exchanging documents after the MoU signing. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING: Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with local company Borneo Aromatic Coconut Sdn Bhd to boost state coconut production.
The signing, via the state Agriculture Department, was held with Sarawak Agriculture director Dominic Chunggat and Borneo Aromatic Coconut director Simon Chang See Moon, witnessed by FICORD Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
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Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Rundi said the collaboration is in line with the plan to make coconut among Sarawak’s primary commodities with the state targetting to become a net food exporter by 2030.
“During the last 11th Malaysia Plan (2016 to 2020), the state Agriculture Department developed 2,338 hectares (ha) for coconut production which benefitted 1,939 households and conducted maintenance for 2,547 ha of coconut farms which benefitted 1,944 households,” he said.
Sarawak’s coconut-planted area was estimated at 12,105 ha last year with the top four divisions being Samarahan with 5,757 ha, Mukah (2,394 ha), Kuching (2,006 ha) and Betong (1,537 ha).
“From 2021 to 2022, our ministry had developed 88.5 ha for new coconut production which benefitted 66 households, and conducted maintenance for 875 ha of existing coconut farms which benefitted 712 households.
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He said it was his hope that the parties in the MoU will put forward initiatives to involve current agro-based community in rural areas to accelarate the development of the industry and strengthen current supply chain.
According to him, M-FICORD is committed to transform agriculture into a vibrant, progressive and sustainable sector driven by technology to ensure food security and safety.
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This will, in turn, create new wealth for the agro-based community and generate a higher income for the farming community.
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