KOTA SAMARAHAN: The upgraded SARA Cocoa Cluster here has the potential to become one of the tourist attractions in the field of agro -tourism in Sarawak.
Deputy Minister II of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Willie Mongin said his involvement in implementing the concept of the cocoa bean processing chain to the production stage of chocolate-based products is critical in ensuring the growth of handmade chocolate products in Malaysia.
“The complex is capable of processing local dried cocoa beans in Sarawak for a capacity of 50 tonnes a year.
“It has also been upgraded to one of the agro-tourism-based tourist attractions, thus becoming the best platform to showcase the upstream and downstream industries from the process of sowing seedlings to producing chocolate,” he said in a press conference at the closing ceremony of the basic course on development of handmade chocolate entrepreneurs here today.
Therefore, he said, the community, especially those who are interested in engaging in cocoa entrepreneurship are advised to register as members of cocoa cooperatives to enjoy the initiatives provided by the Malaysian Cocoa Board to registered members.
According to him, it is one of the community empowerment initiatives highlighted by the Malaysian Cocoa Board as the course organiser and the main leader of the cocoa community member sector towards the development of handmade chocolate entrepreneurs.
“The main objective is to develop local chocolate entrepreneurs who are capable of producing chocolate manufacturing.
“Incentives are also provided for the purchase of equipment, machinery and product development and marketing advisory services as an incentive to potential entrepreneurs who are interested in getting involved.
“This programme is also one of the special strategies for the development of chocolate entrepreneurs and cocoa promotion programmes in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP),” he said.
He went on to say that a total of 20 people from the Puncak Borneo constituency had attended the course, allowing them to impact aspects such as education, training, and social support in order to improve the role of entrepreneurship in the downstream cocoa industry’s potential.
He revealed that Sarawak managed to export 59 metric tonnes of cocoa last year to the peninsula.
So far, his ministry is also planning to open 100 hectares of cocoa plantations in Bau to ensure that the oldest cocoa planting activities grow in Sarawak, he pointed out.
