KENINGAU, The export revenue from the cocoa industry reached RM4.8 billion as of May 2024. In a statement today, the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities said this amounted to approximately 58 per cent of the cocoa industry’s export revenue of RM8.2 billion last year. “This achievement clearly shows the industry’s importance as a catalyst for the country’s economy,” said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. The statement was released in conjunction with Johari’s visit to cocoa smallholders in Kampung Liau Ulu, here today. During the visit, the minister also officiated a post-harvest technology course, a cocoa cluster strengthening programme, and the opening of the Kampung Liau cocoa processing course. According to the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, the interior regions of Sabah contributed 37.5 per cent of the country’s cocoa production. It said some smallholders in these areas have produced yields of over 1,000 kilogrammes (kg) per hectare per year, compared to th e national productivity average of 100 kg per hectare per year. “Single-origins and bear-to-bar chocolate producers have selected a portion of the cocoa bean production,” it said, The ministry said the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM) is implementing several development programmes such as cocoa farm rehabilitation, constructing mini cocoa processing plants and imparting farm management technology that utilises the latest technology and mechanisation. Meanwhile, the Plantation and Commodities Ministry said the RM70,000 Kampung Liau Ulu cocoa processing plant has been completed and will benefit 80 smallholders in the area. “The target is to produce 100 tonnes of dry cocoa beans, which is estimated to bring in profits exceeding RM200,000 a year based on current prices,” it added. The ministry said that to increase the number of youths involved in cocoa farming and attract more youths, the LKM has set up the Cocoa Youth Club, where members will gain knowledge of the industry. “This will also help mitigate the is sue of labour shortages in the cocoa plantation section,” it said. The Plantation and Commodities Ministry added that it supports various LKM initiatives implemented to ensure the country’s cocoa industry remains competitive and productive, in line with the targets set by the National Agricommodity Policy (DAKN) 2021-2030. Source: BERNAMA News Agency