SIBURAN: Plans are afoot to develop large scale coffee cultivation in Mambong to generate more income for the people.
Its assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said locations have been identified for the planting of coffee trees.
“We want to grow coffee on a large scale and we identified Kampung Jambu and Kampung Bayur as the place for the project.
“We plant the coffee trees, collect the beans, process it and pack it. From there, we will have our own Sarawak coffee brand.
“However, we have yet to come up with a brand name. That we will consult with our leaders later because they have to endorse the brand,” he said after officiating at the opening of Malanda Café here on Saturday (May 11).
In addition, he said efforts to grow coffee in the highlands have been encouraging, noting that a few pilot projects have been undertaken.
“We have had a few pilot projects where the Agriculture Department has distributed liberica coffee beans, where the beans can grow naturally.
“So the coffee beans are grown here in Sarawak and we will do it on a large scale,” said Dr Jerip.
He also said the coffee beans have a low-risk of being infected by diseases and can be harvested every week which can help generate income for people who take part in the project.
Apart from that, he said a coffee estate is in the pipeline under the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA).
“After that, we will expand the plantation of coffee beans not just in Mambong but in other areas as well.
“Assemblymen from Song, Belaga and others have approached me on this where they also want pilot programmes on the planting of liberica coffee.”
Other than that, Dr Jerip noted that, under GKCDA, an allocation of RM8 million has been distributed to establish a coffee collection centre within the estate.
This is to enable easy access for villagers to sell their coffee beans from their farm.
“We hope that the estate can be established soon so that we can produce more coffee beans,” he said.
