KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak’s community-led biodiversity conservation effort has taken a new step forward with the launch of Sarawak Orchid Tea, the state’s first innovative product made from native orchids.
Sarawak Orchid Society (SARORSO) Patron Dayang Norjihan Abang Abdul Rahman Johari said she was proud of the collective effort shown by volunteers from all walks of life, including mothers, retirees, students and small-scale entrepreneurs, in driving the orchid-based community project.
She said Sarawak Orchid Tea is not only a product innovation but also a symbol of knowledge, leadership and sustainability within the community.
“This orchid tea is crafted by our very own community — caffeine-free, free from artificial colouring, and produced entirely by local women under SARORSO’s guidance.
“I believe it has the potential to be recognised as Sarawak’s official heritage tea, representing innovation and the resilience of our community,” she said.
She said this when officiating at the opening of the SARORSO Kota Samarahan Community Orchid Conservation Project at SABAKI Farm, Tanjung Tuang, here today.
The orchid tea is produced from two local species, namely Arundina graminifolia (Bamboo Orchid) and Dendrobium crumenatum, through a careful process that covers cultivation to packaging, fully handled by the local community.
According to Dayang Norjihan, the initiative continues the legacy of her late mother, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, who championed orchid education and conservation since 2018.
The ceremony also introduced 20 new members of SARORSO’s Kota Samarahan branch, who will spearhead the conservation project in the district.
Dayang Norjihan also stressed the importance of protecting Sarawak’s native orchid species, which hold both aesthetic value and economic potential.
She said projects of this kind not only support biodiversity conservation but also create opportunities for local communities and horticulture enthusiasts to engage in sustainable ventures.
