BAU — Thirty-one participants from Kampung Stenggang, Pidilam, and Sepadah will pioneer a 30-hectare Liberica coffee plantation under a RM1 million state-backed initiative launched Friday at the Stenggang Town Hall.
Opar Assemblyman Billy Sujang confirmed the Jayatani Coffee Plantation Project secured funding from Sarawak’s Agricultural Facilitation Fund (AFF), with tenders opening July 21, 2025, and fieldwork commencing mid-August.
“This transforms participants from subsistence farmers into commercial growers,” Sujang stated, addressing past implementation delays while affirming the Agriculture Department and Sarawak Land Development Board’s (SLDB) critical oversight roles.
Project Specifications:
- Cultivation Area: 30 hectares across three villages
- Varietal: Premium Liberica coffee (1,280 trees/hectare)
- Inputs Provided:
- Lime Fertilizer (GML)
- NPK Fertilizer 15:15:15
- Glyphosate herbicide
- Replacement seedlings
- Zero-Cost Participation: Includes full maintenance cycle
Contractors will handle land clearing and terracing, while farmers conduct planting—an approach Sujang noted builds ownership. SLDB will coordinate seed distribution and field operations.
The assemblyman revealed plans to consult tribal leaders on additional development opportunities, positioning the project as Phase 1 of agricultural modernization in Opar.
Liberica was selected for its suitability to Sarawak’s climate and growing global niche market demand, with projected yields of 1.2 tonnes/ha by Year 3.
