S’wak to introduce coffee brand with international market potential
KUCHING: Sarawak is set to introduce a coffee brand with international market potential, said Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.
He said such outlook was based to the prospects and benefits of coffee, already being extensively cultivated in his constituency of Mambong.
“We aim to cultivate coffee on a large scale, as the Mambong area serves as a dual hub for tourism and agricultural development.
“Previously, we identified a plot of land owned by locals in Kampung Bayur and Kampung Jambu, covering 1,000 acres, which was previously utilised by the Sarawak Land Custody and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra).
“We will conduct large-scale coffee planting there, with the harvested beans up for processing and packaging here as well,” said the Mambong assemblyman in his speech for the opening of Malanda Coffee Shop in Siburan on Saturday.
Dr Jerip said several pioneering projects with the Department of Agriculture had been undertaken, with Liberica coffee seeds being distributed in that known for their resilience to plant diseases.
He revealed that he had received invitations from Song, Belaga and other constituencies to participate in the Liberica coffee planting project.
Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency had previously allocated RM8 million for the construction of a coffee collection centre in the estate, set to take off soon, under Phase 1 of the project.
Regarding the coffee branding, Dr Jerip explained that discussions are necessary to decide on a suitable brand name.
He was pleased with the encouraging response from villagers and retired civil servants participating in the project.
Locally known as Kopi Katup, the coffee boasts a fragrant aroma, strong taste, and low caffeine content.
Its advantages include weekly harvestability and flowers capable of producing herbal tea with unique properties.
Also present was acting Siburan district officer Ranum Bari.