QUALITY SEEDLINGS: Mohamad Dobon (left) and Awang Khalid showing 45-day-old rubber seedlings of the PB350, RRIM3001 and RRIM 2023 varieties.

05/02/2013 (Boneo Post) -  Koperasi Koppes Sarawak Berhad (Koppes) has its eye set on expanding its rubber and palm oil seedling nurseries given the bright prospect they have.

“This is another business venture of us. But we are not going to stop there. We are going to venture into other nurseries,” its marketing and business development manager Mohamad Dobon told reporters at a press conference to highlight rubber tree clone seedlings which are available for sale through its subsidiary – Sarakoppes Sdn Bhd.

He added that the co-op had a few potential sites for further expansion in the pipeline, which included the possibility of opening an oil palm seedling nursery once their rubber seedling nurseries were operating smoothly.

Nursery manager Awang Khalid Awang Hassim told reporters that the Meranek 7 nursery began operations in August last year with the planting of rootstocks and budded rubber stumps.

Currently, three varieties of rubber tree clone seedlings from the six-acre Meranek 7 nursery in Kota Samarahan were available for purchase – RRIM3001, RRIM2023 and PB350. All are Latex Timber Clones recognised by Lembaga Getah Malaysia (LGM).

Sarakoppes also has oil palm seedlings for sale.

Awang Khalid said that although they were currently concentrating on producing rubber planting material and seedlings, they would eventually plan to expand to produce a wider range of planting materials and seedlings for various plants.

The company works closely with LGM and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and their staff who have also conducted site visits and briefings for Sarakoppes personnel.

“We welcome inquiries and orders from the public as well as those interested in large ventures and contracts related with agriculture,” Awang Khalid said.

Orders or additional information can be placed by contacting Awang Khalid (0138288268) or KOPPES main office at 082-413934/413949/414934 and from 8am to 5pm on weekdays.