The Malaysian government has committed MYR 9.5 million (USD 2 million) to a new cocoa cultivation initiative that includes the establishment of a new 350-hectare plantation and a recovery project covering 2,126 hectares. This investment aims to boost local cocoa production, reduce the need for imports and strengthen the country’s position in global cocoa exports. The projects, overseen by the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM), seek to assist smallholders in enhancing their cultivation practices and resolving any related challenges.
Concurrently, Nestlé Malaysia has introduced KitKat Dark Borneo, a product utilizing cocoa sourced solely from Sabah and Sarawak, as part of its strategy to localize its supply chain and promote sustainable agriculture practices. The initiative, supported through Nestlé’s Farmer Connect program, incorporates regenerative techniques like agroforestry to improve soil health and crop yields, thereby increasing local farmers’ incomes. This effort exemplifies the positive impacts of collaboration between the public and private sectors on local economic development. The future of Malaysia’s cocoa industry appears promising, with significant potential for high economic returns, particularly benefiting the majority of small cocoa farmers in the region.
(Source: New Straits Times)
