KUCHING: A total of 2,760 hectares of commercial bamboo plantations and 59 hectares of community plantations have been developed across the state so far, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the bamboo plantations are aimed at sustaining the supply of resources for Sarawak’s bamboo industry.
“Based on the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, the Sarawak government plans to develop around 10,000 hectares of commercial bamboo plantations and 1,640 hectares of community plantations.
“Through this strategy, we are confident that Sarawak can become a successful bamboo industry development hub in Malaysia,” he said during the MoU signing ceremony between STIDC and Rich Venture Plantation Sdn. Bhd. at Grand Margherita Hotel here on Wednesday (August 2).
The MoU is to facilitate a partnership to create a commercial bamboo plantation and processing centre to produce high value-added products such as biomass, bamboo charcoal and food packaging products in Sarawak.
Abang Johari said Sarawak has a good ecosystem for bamboo cultivation.
“Now, we just need a proper master plan, and also identifying the right area for the purpose” he said.
He added that bamboo has profound characteristics that can be used as a raw material in the manufacturing sector or to create downstream products.
“So, we strongly encourage those related to get involved in the downstream industry because this effort is also one of the efforts to preserve our forest,” he explained
