GOPENG: When your neighbour is the new village of Kopisan – which translates to “coffee mountain” in Cantonese – there is no choice but to surrender to the appeal of the beans.
This local heritage has inspired several schools in the area to grow coffee plants as a way to raise funds.
One example is SJK(C) Lawan Kuda Baru, situated opposite the Kopisan new village. The school currently maintains about 30 trees of the Liberica variety, a project kept thriving through the collective efforts of school staff, gardeners and members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).
The initiative is the brainchild of Chen Kong Hoy, the former village chief of Kampung Baru Kopisan, who now purchases the harvested yield from the school.
The trees are meticulously watered and fertilised to ensure steady production.
PTA chairman Cheong Kok Kien explained in an interview that while the project has educational potential, the current priority is the health of the plantation.
“The lessons have not started yet, as the focus remains on maintaining the trees,” he said, noting that the school eventually plans to teach pupils the basics of coffee production.
This agricultural venture is beginning to prove its worth.
Harvesting occurs two to three times a year. Last year, the sales generated about RM1,000 for the PTA. Following this success, the team is working hard to double the impact, with hopes of reaching a target of RM2,000 this year.
“The school aims to expand the plantation to 60 trees and may organise activities like coffee cherry-picking competitions.
“PTA members have also tried processing the beans themselves, producing small batches of homemade coffee for tasting,” Cheong added.
Another school, SJK(C) New Kopisan, has about 160 coffee trees planted at its compound.
“The project aims to educate pupils about coffee trees, including their leaves, flowers and seeds.”
“Pupils are actively involved in monitoring the trees’ growth and will pluck the coffee beans when they are ripe, giving them hands-on experience in agriculture and sustainability,” said headmistress Chong Shieh Mei.
She said the move was initiated by the school’s management board.
As for Chen, he said the community coffee planting initiative, launched in 2015, aimed to turn Kopisan village into an ecotourism spot while helping schools earn income and gain agricultural experience.
He said that in 2017, with support from a charitable foundation, 700 saplings were distributed to 10 schools in Teja.
Chen also praised SJK(C) Lawan Kuda Baru for organising a well-managed plantation.
“The project teaches pupils the full coffee production process, and I pay the schools RM3 per kilo above market rate to support their funds,” he said.
He is seeking state land to expand cultivation and develop a downstream industry, noting interest from Chinese investors.
Chen stressed that it is a community effort that could boost tourism and youth involvement.
“Coffee waste can also be turned into value-added products like tea, enzymes, biscuits and odour sprays,” he added.
Moffee Coffee Roaster owner Sam Mok, who offers full “A to Z” coffee services from supplying beans, machines and accessories to industry consultation, said a key highlight is the locally grown Liberica variety from Kopisan, a rare species in Malaysia that differs from robusta and arabica.
Though long popular in Johor, it is now cultivated in Perak and other states, with flavours shaped by local conditions.
Despite limited and seasonal production, Mok hopes to promote Perak-grown Liberica nationwide.
“If production is stable, we could establish a long-term presence. Right now, it’s very seasonal, which makes these beans special and rare,” he added.
