Guarana, Sabah’s New Green Gold

23 September 2025

TAMBUNAN: Sabah is stepping into a new era of agriculture with the introduction of guarana, a nutrient-rich plant from Brazil, as a high-potential commodity to generate income for the people and drive the state’s economy.

This historic milestone was marked by the Launching Ceremony of Guarana Harvest Purchases and the Distribution of Free Guarana Seedlings, officiated by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, at the Pisompuruan Open Hall in Tambunan recently.

Dr Jeffrey, who is also the Member of Parliament for P.180 Keningau and State Assemblyman for N.39 Tambunan, stressed that guarana has undergone intensive research by local universities, including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and has been certified safe for cultivation, with no classification as a harmful plant.

“Guarana can help increase the income of the people, particularly the B40 group. If cultivated on an industrial scale, it will not only boost Sabah’s economy but also contribute to the nation’s overall economic growth,” he said confidently.

Expressing strong optimism, he described guarana as Sabah’s next “green gold”, a viable new alternative crop that can reduce dependence on traditional commodities while opening fresh opportunities for farmers and communities.