KOTA SAMARAHAN: The local community's efforts in conserving Sarawak's flora biodiversity have taken a step forward with the official launch of Sarawak Orchid Tea, the first innovation product based on local orchids.

The launch ceremony was officiated by the Patron of the Sarawak Orchid Society (SARORSO), Dayang Norjihan Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari, in conjunction with the Launching Ceremony of the SARORSO Kota Samarahan Branch Orchid Conservation Community Project at SABAKI Farm, Tanjung Tuang on Monday.

In her speech, Dayang Norjihan expressed her pride in the voluntary efforts of various levels of society including mothers, retirees, students and small entrepreneurs who together made this orchid-based community project a success.

She stressed that the launch of Sarawak Orchid Tea is not just a product of innovation, but also a symbol of community development centered on knowledge, leadership and sustainability.

“This Sarawak Orchid Tea is the handiwork of our own community, caffeine-free, without artificial colouring and produced entirely by local women under the guidance of SARORSO.

"I believe this product can become the official heritage tea of ​​the state of Sarawak, a symbol of innovation and resilience of our community," she said.

The Sarawak Orchid Tea product is produced from two local orchid species, namely Arundina graminifolia (Bamboo Orchid) and Dendrobium crumenatum, which have undergone meticulous processing process from planting to packaging by the local community.

According to Dayang Norjihan, this initiative is to continue the legacy of her mother, the late Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, who has been a staunch advocate for orchid education and conservation since 2018.

The ceremony also saw the introduction of 20 new members of the SARORSO Kota Samarahan Branch who will lead the Orchid Conservation Community Project in this district.

With the launch of Sarawak Orchid Tea, Sarawak has not only strengthened its position in biodiversity conservation, but also charted a new history in the economic development of communities based on local flora, proving that the state's natural heritage This can be a product with global impact.

Also present were the Chairman and Founder of SARORSO Yang Mulia Tengku Dr. Auvaroza Tengku Abraham, Chairman of SARORSO Kota Samarahan Branch Saptuyah Baki, advisors, SARORSO members and the local community.-UKASnews