PADAWAN – The establishment of the Padawan Coffee Growers Association (PERKOP) and a Small Coffee Collection Center has been hailed as a strategic step in positioning Padawan as a quality coffee production hub in Sarawak.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Kampung Emperoh Git Community Hall on Saturday, Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister (Air & Land) and Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the initiative reflects the government’s long-term vision to strengthen rural economies through agriculture.
He revealed that the Greater Kuching Development Agency (GKCDA) has earmarked 600 hectares in Kampung Jambu and Kampung Bayur for coffee cultivation.
The area will be supported by facilities including a coffee collection centre, research centre, café, and a community interaction space known as the Coffee Campus.
“The presence of local investors and traders such as Kopi Katup and Pura Kura Coffee shows that the coffee industry has great potential to boost the new economy and provide job opportunities to rural residents,” Datuk Dr Jerip said.
He urged coffee farmers to unite under PERKOP to streamline production and sales, ensuring that local coffee can be marketed effectively.
By consolidating efforts, he added, Padawan’s coffee industry could become a distinctive identity for Sarawak and evolve into an agro-tourism attraction.
Looking ahead, Datuk Dr Jerip expressed hope that Sarawak would eventually establish its own coffee factory to process and package local products for entry into international markets.
He described the launch as the beginning of a new era for Padawan’s coffee industry, aligning with the state government’s aspiration to make agriculture a key driver of rural economic growth.
The event also underscored the importance of collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and private investors in building a sustainable coffee ecosystem.
By combining modern facilities with traditional farming practices, the initiative aims to create opportunities for farmers while promoting Sarawak’s reputation as a producer of quality coffee.
Among those present were Padawan Sub-District Office Administrative Officer Julius Scott Sapong, Kuching District Assistant Agriculture Officer Damian Lidang, PERKOP Chairman Robert Siew, and Kuching District Bidayuh Pemancha Raymond Jihap, alongside other distinguished guests.
The launch of PERKOP and the Coffee Collection Center is expected to pave the way for Padawan to emerge as a recognised hub for coffee production, contributing to both local livelihoods and Sarawak’s broader economic ambitions.
