Kuala lumpur: The Plantation and Commodities Ministry, through the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB), has allocated RM19 million from 2024 to 2026 for the Cocoa Farm Rehabilitation Project across Malaysia to enhance cultivation as a key source of the country’s economy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry is implementing the Cocoa Yield Production Stimulus Programme to increase planted areas by 550 hectares and to facilitate mini cocoa processing infrastructure. The Smallholder Farm Road Project is also being executed to ease the transportation of cocoa produce from remote areas to cocoa bean collection centres.
Training and capacity building for growers are part of the Cocoa Farmer Modernisation Programme, which provides selected smallholders with exposure to modern farming equipment and facilities. MCB is conducting research and development to produce new technologies to overcome challenges in the upstream cocoa sector and strengthen its marketing chain through guided cooperatives in each region.
The ministry encourages the production of premium products such as ‘single origin’ and ‘fine flavour’ to brand local cocoa with its unique taste. This initiative was revealed in a written reply on the Dewan Rakyat website, responding to a query from Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parti Buntar) regarding steps to improve coconut and cocoa cultivation as key economic sources.
Additionally, the ministry informed that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is working on developing the coconut industry as a national industry. An allocation of RM5 million has been made this year under the New Wealth Source Programme to improve cultivation and expand coconut plantation acreage.
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry provides incentives to farmers involved in the Coconut Industry Development Project with agricultural inputs and basic farm infrastructure assistance. The ministry also encourages the cultivation of high-yield coconut varieties, such as hybrid and ‘dwarf’ types, including Matag Coconut, Malayan Red Dwarf, Malayan Yellow Dwarf, and Pandan Coconut, to boost productivity and farmers’ incomes.