KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil has proposed the establishment of a Sarawak Coffee Board in time to come to coordinate and drive the growth of the state’s emerging coffee industry.
He said the setting up of such a board would help streamline efforts among farmers, cooperatives, and government agencies while ensuring Sarawak coffee gains recognition both locally and internationally.
“We are seeing increasing interest and potential in coffee cultivation not just in Mambong but also in areas throughout the state.
“To maximise this potential, we need a proper structure to oversee production, processing, marketing and research in the future,” he said at the launch of Persatuan Penanam Kopi Padawan Kuching (Perkop) and Perkop mini collection centre at Kampung Git, Jalan Puncak Borneo, here, Saturday.
He noted that Sarawak’s coffee, particularly the Liberica, if blended with Arabica or Robusta, has a unique aroma and flavour that could attract niche markets.
However, he stressed that a coordinated approach is needed to enhance productivity, quality control and branding.
“We have got the Malaysia Rubber Board, Malaysia Pepper Board and Malaysia Cocoa Board, and perhaps we can also have the Sarawak Coffee Board.
“I hope the state government will see and recognise coffee as an important commodity in the state economy and establish the Sarawak Coffee Board one day,” he said.
The Mambong assemblyman said this would align with the state government’s focus on diversifying the rural economy and supporting agro-based industries.
He felt the Sarawak Coffee Board can serve as a one-stop body to regulate and promote the state’s coffee industry — similar to how the Pepper Board, Rubber Board and Cocoa Board have successfully guided their sectors.
“Before we can have our Sarawak Coffee Board, let us start with the group, let us start with the association, let us start with the planting, and with the small-scale processing and production.
“Eventually, we are going to plant and produce coffee in large quantity, which will the require the establishment of the Board to oversee and to ensure that our raw coffee production is of high quality, so that international coffee roasters can buy from us in the future,” he said.
Dr Jerip added that the Sarawak Coffee Board, if established, may coordinate activities such as farmer training, research and development, certification, and international promotion of Sarawak-grown coffee.
He commended local communities for their growing involvement in coffee planting and called on more young people to explore coffee as a viable economic venture.
He believed that with proper guidance, technical support, and marketing channels, coffee can become one of Sarawak’s signature crops in future.
“We are seeing increasing interest and potential in coffee cultivation not just in Mambong but also in areas throughout the state.
“To maximise this potential, we need a proper structure to oversee production, processing, marketing and research in the future,” he said at the launch of Persatuan Penanam Kopi Padawan Kuching (Perkop) and Perkop mini collection centre at Kampung Git, Jalan Puncak Borneo, here, Saturday.
He noted that Sarawak’s coffee, particularly the Liberica, if blended with Arabica or Robusta, has a unique aroma and flavour that could attract niche markets.
However, he stressed that a coordinated approach is needed to enhance productivity, quality control and branding.
“We have got the Malaysia Rubber Board, Malaysia Pepper Board and Malaysia Cocoa Board, and perhaps we can also have the Sarawak Coffee Board.
“I hope the state government will see and recognise coffee as an important commodity in the state economy and establish the Sarawak Coffee Board one day,” he said.
The Mambong assemblyman said this would align with the state government’s focus on diversifying the rural economy and supporting agro-based industries.
He felt the Sarawak Coffee Board can serve as a one-stop body to regulate and promote the state’s coffee industry — similar to how the Pepper Board, Rubber Board and Cocoa Board have successfully guided their sectors.
“Before we can have our Sarawak Coffee Board, let us start with the group, let us start with the association, let us start with the planting, and with the small-scale processing and production.
“Eventually, we are going to plant and produce coffee in large quantity, which will the require the establishment of the Board to oversee and to ensure that our raw coffee production is of high quality, so that international coffee roasters can buy from us in the future,” he said.
Dr Jerip added that the Sarawak Coffee Board, if established, may coordinate activities such as farmer training, research and development, certification, and international promotion of Sarawak-grown coffee.
He commended local communities for their growing involvement in coffee planting and called on more young people to explore coffee as a viable economic venture.
He believed that with proper guidance, technical support, and marketing channels, coffee can become one of Sarawak’s signature crops in future.