KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s coffee capital, Tenom, hopes to see a step-up in production of local coffee to meet at least 50% of the requirements of the district’s four factories by 2030, says Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
The state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister said efforts to increase coffee production would be intensified by encouraging the public to register their land for coffee cultivation.
“This year, we are providing opportunities for those interested in growing coffee to register their land.
“So far, we have secured about 29ha for new coffee plantations in Tenom, and I hope the figure will continue to increase,” he said when speaking at the Tenom Coffee Festival 2026 at Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Antanum in Tenom yesterday.
He said more support will be provided to assist farmers interested in coffee cultivation in efforts to meet the needs of coffee processing factories in the district.
Jamawi said coffee plants take about three years before they begin producing yield, while the current price of dried coffee is estimated at about RM20 per kilo.
He said one of the challenges that needs to be addressed is the coffee drying process to ensure production output can be managed more effectively.
“We will try to address issues related to drying and other matters through the construction of a coffee drying plant in Tenom.
“The project has been approved by the Agriculture Ministry, and will be implemented in the near future. It is currently undergoing the tender process,” he added.
He hoped that by expanding coffee cultivation and providing processing facilities, Tenom’s coffee production would boost and ensure sufficient supply to meet the needs of the local industry.
Among those present were Sabah Tenom Coffee Entrepreneurs Association chairman Tham Yau Siong and Borneo Coffee Alliance (BCA) chairman Dick Lee.
Earlier, Jamawi, together with his ministry officials, welcomed passengers arriving on the first Tanjung Aru-Tenom Express train. The special train service is scheduled to operate for three days, from yesterday until tomorrow.
