Colony of North Borneo annual report.

  • British North Borneo
Date:
[1959]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Colony of North Borneo annual report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    82/274 page 62
    Cocoa The growth of cocoa on the basaltic soils of the Semporna Peninsula continues to be outstanding and interest runs high. 9,000 acres were alienated for the crop this year and the total area under cocoa cultivation amounted to 1,451 acres by the end of the year. Exports totalled some nine tons, for which standard world prices were received. Oil Palm Growth of oil palm seedlings in Mostyn Estate was extremely good, up to the end of the year 206 acres had been planted and seedlings were available for the planting of 1,700 acres in 1960. The small trial plot on alluvial soil at Limbawang in the Klias Peninsula continues to show great promise. Coffee In spite of a fall in price in Keningau from $160.00 per pikui in January to $80.00 per pikui in November, interest in coffee was maintained. Considerable planting (mostly with robusta) took place in Keningau, Ranau and Tawau. Coffee Berry Borer was well controlled in most areas, especially in the Interior where the use of insecticides and crop sanitation are well understood by growers. Exports (including some re-exports) of coffee amounted in 1959 to 109 tons valued at $264,000. Fruit and Vegetables A wide variety of tropical fruit is grown but the quality leaves much to be desired. Agricultural Stations are giving increased attention to the production of budded seedlings of better varieties for sale to the public. Good progress has been made this year in the commercial production of temperate vegetables (chiefly cabbage, Chinese cabbage and French beans) in the Tenompok-Kundasang area in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu at an elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Other Crops Maize, groundnuts and soya beans continued to be important crops, chiefly for local consumption; production remained at the same level as in 1958. Staff and Policy The Establishment of the Department of Agriculture during the year consisted of a Director, an Assistant Director, and Administrative Assistant, five Agricultural Officers, two Soil
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