KUCHING: Putrajaya is ready to help Sarawak if it has plans to increase the number of cocoa plantations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said his ministry will provide the support and assistance to the state government.
“We will cooperate with the Sarawak government if it plans to further expand its cocoa plantation area here,” he said when met by reporters after officiating at the Sharing and Dialogue Session on Using Agri Commodity Energy at Pullman Hotel here today.
He noted that there are challenges that will be faced by the operators, especially in creating a comprehensive ecosystem in the plantation sector.
For example, he said, in the cocoa industry, one must not only focus on its cultivation but also its sales, production, marketing, and final products.
“In this context, the value chain needs to be considered comprehensively. There are also challenges related to commodity prices that are uncertain according to the market.
“Sometimes, entrepreneurs tend to choose plants that are easier and available in the market.”
Making a comparison between palm oil and Musang King durian, for example, he said there were some people switching to Musang King cultivation because the durian market is bigger and the labour cost involved is lower.
“This is the reason why working in the plantation sector has become more challenging due to labour issues and other factors,” he said.
In facing these challenges, he said his ministry has implemented a programme known as ‘track commodity’ where they visit the plantations and interact with various industry players to hear their complaints and feedback.
“Other than that, we also spread awareness on the need to practise good agriculture so that their yields are in line with the needs of the current market,” he said.
