Cocoa Board looks towards Sabah interior
Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025
By: Marutin Ansiung Text Size: Matbali (second right) and Abdul Karim (third from left) holding up cocoa beans. KENINGAU: The Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) will continue to play an active role in supporting the development of the country's cocoa industry, particularly in Sabah's Interior region. Its Chairman Datuk Matbali Musah, said various initiatives are being implemented, including the Cocoa Farm Rehabilitation Programme, agricultural input assistance, research on superior cocoa varieties, and technical guidance for farmers.
Advertisement He said these efforts are important to ensure that the dried cocoa beans produced meet high quality standards, thereby increasing market value and enhancing Malaysia's reputation in the international cocoa market. Matbali, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sipitang, said this while officiating the Cocoa Cluster Strengthening Programme for the Interior Zone of Sabah held here, on Thursday. Organised by the MCB, the programme brought together more than 200 participants from various zones, including Keningau, Tenom, Sook, Tambunan, and Nabawan. 'This is a proud achievement because we are not only sharing knowledge but also fostering a sense of unity among the cocoa community in Sabah,' he said. Matbali also stressed the importance of good agricultural practices, sustainable pest and disease management, and the adoption of the latest cocoa farming technologies. He said MCB hopes cocoa farmers in Sabah will take further steps by joining cooperatives and becoming involved in downstream processing, including the production of locally made chocolate products. He expressed confidence that with support from entities such as Koperasi Koko Kluster Sabah Berhad, the cocoa industry holds great potential to stimulate the local economy and attract interest from rural youth. Also present was the MCB Director Transfer of Technology And Extension (ToTE) Abdul Karim, representing its director-general Datuk Dr Ramle Kasin. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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