BAGAN DATUK: The Plantation and Commodities Ministry has called on small farmers to continue cultivating cocoa and resist the shift to other crops, as Malaysia seeks to reduce its reliance on imports.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, said the country imports nearly 530,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually, valued at RM7.8 billion, underscoring the urgent need to increase local cocoa production.
"We used to produce almost 300,000 metric tons of cocoa, but today, that figure has dropped to just 270 metric tonnes.
"This decline is largely due to cocoa plant diseases, but the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM) has made strides in overcoming many of these issues," he said.
Johari was speaking to reporters after launching the Bagan Datuk Malaysian Cocoa Board Open Day at the Bagan Datuk Cocoa Research and Development Centre in Sungai Sumun.
Also present was LKM director-general Datuk Dr Ramle Kasin.
At the event, Johari also launched a chocolate product named Bagan Datuk Single Origin Chocolate.
Johari said global cocoa prices meant that cocoa products were highly lucrative, with prices once reaching RM30,000 per tonne, while the cost of cultivation remains around RM8,400 per tonne.
"Current market prices hover around RM24,000 per tonne, offering a substantial profit margin for farmers," he added.
In an effort to support small cocoa farmers, Johari said LKM has been tasked with identifying high-quality cocoa seeds to develop superior strains and clones.
He said cocoa trees take about two and a half years to start yielding crops and have a lifespan of 23 to 25 years.
"Additionally, the government has allocated RM10 million as an emergency fund to combat potential new cocoa diseases.
"We hope no new diseases emerge, but this fund will be on standby to address any unforeseen challenges," he said.
On the potential of turning the Cocoa Centre in Bagan Datuk into a major research hub, Johari said it already produces around 100,000 cocoa seeds annually, helping to meet the country's demand, which is estimated at 150,000 metric tons of cocoa per year.
"Our country needs 150,000 metric tonnes of cocoa for domestic use, but we import 530,000 tonnes, with the rest being exported as finished products," he said.
Johari said the government plans to engage youth in the cocoa sector, particularly those with access to suitable land.
He said cocoa cultivation was easier to manage compared to oil palm, as cocoa trees are shorter and require less labour from foreign workers.
"Through collaboration with LKM, small farmers will receive training in good agricultural practices and modern cultivation systems, aimed at improving cocoa yields and quality.
"We want to increase both the production and quality of cocoa by providing better seeds and training to farmers. This is part of our strategy to reduce cocoa imports within the next 10 to 15 years," he said.