03 Nov 2025

Sabah cooperative scales up poultry farming

Kopan reports steady profits from its large-scale chicken farming project and plans further expansion to strengthen local livelihoods.

Jess Ramanee

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The Koperasi Pembangunan Tanah Pergaulan Anak Negeri Sandakan Sabah Berhad (Kopan) in Malaysia has emerged as a model for community-based agribusiness in Malaysia, reporting steady profits from its expanding poultry farming venture in Batu 12, Sungai Manila.

Kopan recorded an annual net profit of USD 88,000 from its large-scale chicken operation, which currently manages around 60,000 birds. The cooperative plans to expand capacity to over 110,000 chickens in the coming year, positioning itself as the first cooperative in Sabah to successfully operate a commercial-scale poultry farm.

This achievement represents a milestone not only for Kopan but also for the state’s wider cooperative sector, which is increasingly seen as a driver of inclusive economic growth and local food production.

Empowering members and rural communities

The poultry farming initiative has significantly improved employment opportunities and income generation for Kopan’s members and surrounding communities. By adopting modern farming methods and efficient production systems, Kopan has established a sustainable business model that directly benefits rural households.

Chairman Abdul Rahman Abdullah Salleh credited the cooperative’s success to the dedication and collaboration of its members. “This success demonstrates that the spirit of cooperation and members’ strong commitment can make the cooperative a key catalyst for the socio-economic development of the local community,” he said at Kopan’s 35th Annual General Meeting held recently.

The meeting, attended by 119 members, reviewed the cooperative’s progress and outlined expansion strategies to reinforce its economic foundation while maintaining its social mission.

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Expanding into new business ventures

To diversify income sources and strengthen its financial base, Kopan plans to establish a bottled water factory, which will provide additional revenue and create jobs for local youth. The project complements its poultry farming operations, reflecting a long-term strategy to build a resilient and diversified cooperative economy.

Abdul Rahman emphasized that Kopan remains committed to empowering native members economically, supporting sustainable community growth, and advancing Sabah’s cooperative movement. “We aim to become a progressive, competitive, and self-reliant cooperative that uplifts our members while contributing to the state’s food security and economic stability,” he said.

Kopan’s poultry project demonstrates how grassroots cooperatives can play a transformative role in local development — combining profitability with community impact to strengthen both livelihoods and food production in Malaysia’s rural regions.

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