KUCHING: The Sarawak Orchid Society (Sarorso) is committed to preserving the local orchid species by creating the “Juma’ani In Vitro Laboratory” at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) here.
Sarorso president Zurenawatee Zaidel said the laboratory was for seed germination and micropropagation of orchids.
It was also to promote the involvement of educators, especially among schoolchildren and prevent the extinction of the orchid species.
“The orchid seed project in this laboratory is the first to be carried out in Malaysia. We involve students from the school because they are the generations which will inherit the orchid species in the future,” she explained after the launch of “Juma’ani In Vitro Laboratory” at MRSM.
The event was officiated by the Association of Ministers’ and Assistant Ministers’ Wives (Sabati) Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang.
Zurenawatee revealed that Sarorso was also working with Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) on the orchid seed project at the school.
“Currently, it is still in the trial period and if it’s successful, we will expand it to other parts of Sarawak.
“In the future, we will invite other schools to come to conduct experiments and learn about the micropropagation here. Within two days, the seed project has involved more than 20 species of local orchids,” she explained.
Zurenawatee said representatives from the Writhlington School Orchid Project, namely Dr Simon Pugh Jones and his entourage also came to share knowledge about orchid seedlings.
“They will continue to cooperate with us in this project,” she added.
