DPM Fadillah: Good agricultural practices can raise cocoa farmers’ income
DPM Fadillah: Good agricultural practices can raise cocoa farmers’ income Malay Mail
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Premium Cocoa Seeds Cultivation Enhances Farmers’ Income
BANTING, Aug 6 — Premium cocoa seeds cultivated through good agricultural practices can increase the income of farmers, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.
Research and Development for Premium Beans
Fadillah, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) is always conducting research and development to ensure cocoa farmers are able to produce premium beans.
“The premium-grade dried cocoa beans can fetch up to RM15 per kilogramme (kg) while the regular ones may cost only RM6 to RM7 per kg.
“So it is not enough to just plant seeds, but to cultivate them using good agricultural practices. If all the standards are complied with, the beans would command better prices.
“That’s what we’re striving for. That’s why courses are organised from time to time to train smallholders on how to produce premium products,” he told the media after meeting cocoa industry entrepreneurs in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, today.
Supporting Cocoa Farmers
Fadillah also noted that there was a course organised today for cocoa farmers in the area, including those from Tanjung Karang, Sabah Benam, and Sekinchan.
According to him, farmers everywhere are hoping the government will support them with fertilisers, pesticides and seeds amid the rising costs of these agricultural inputs.
“They also hope that the Federal Government can help via the MCB. We will discuss this with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Economy Ministry and Finance Ministry to see what assistance to provide them, whether it be in the form of subsidies or any assistance to ease (the costs of) agricultural inputs,” he said.
Recognition of Successful Cocoa Grower
Meanwhile, Fadillah praised cocoa grower Lee Soon Cheong, who hosted the final leg of the Peninsular Central Zone Commodity Trek Programme 2023 at Kebun Lee’s Cocoa, for having successfully cultivated almost eight hectares with choice seeds from the MCB.
Lee eventually produced downstream products, which he currently sells online and offline.
Fadillah also visited the cocoa beans drying site (Sauna Cacao) and launched Lee’s Cocoa Tree to Bar premium products. Kebun Lee’s Cocoa also conducts agro-tourism activities for domestic and foreign visitors, showcasing the production process from the bean stage to chocolate production.
Moving Towards Premium Beans Production
In line with the MCB’s plan to make Malaysia a premium beans producer, Kebun Lee’s Cocoa is one of the suppliers cultivating, processing and drying beans and making premium chocolate products with a “tree to bar” concept.
So far, the plantation programme under the MCB in Selangor has grown to 16.84 hectares with the participation of 35 cocoa farmers.
Continued Efforts and Incentives
The ministry, via the MCB, will continue with efforts to raise the yield and productivity of the crop as well as offering a range of incentives for smallholders nationwide, he said. — Bernama
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | – Increase in income of cocoa farmers through the cultivation of premium cocoa seeds. – Premium-grade dried cocoa beans fetching higher prices compared to regular ones. |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. | – Increase in agricultural productivity and incomes of cocoa farmers through the cultivation of premium cocoa seeds. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services. | – Training courses organized for smallholders on how to produce premium cocoa products, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. | – Implementation of good agricultural practices to ensure sustainable cocoa production. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism. | – Collaboration between the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) and other ministries to provide assistance and support to cocoa farmers. |
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Source: malaymail.com
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