Risda eyes rubber replanting programme in Sarawak this year, says deputy minister

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Jan 23): The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) is eyeing the implementation of a rubber replanting programme covering 1,460 hectares in Sarawak this year.

According to Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang, the total area planted with rubber in the state is currently 32,000 hectares.

“Rubber cultivation in Sarawak is concentrated in several areas.

“Also, there is still a negative perception towards rubber cultivation due to price factors in the past, even though the crop is actually capable of providing lucrative returns if managed using the right methods,” she told reporters at a press conference held after officiating at an event here.

The Kota Samarahan MP also said the Risda Prosperous Smallholders Programme was implemented to expose smallholders to technical information, incentives, motivation and the use of new technologies, as well as to monitor crop diseases to ensure rubber plantations are managed sustainably.

“Risda plays an important role in improving the income quality of smallholders, not only through rubber yields, but also through the income enhancement programmes that are implemented.

“In fact, products by small entrepreneurs under Risda are not only marketed at the local level, but are also brought to Peninsular Malaysia through RISMART as a centre for rural products, in our effort to ensure the continuous income of these smallholders,” she said.

The federal deputy minister also revealed that Risda was working towards initiating an effort to become a main buyer of rubber in Sarawak.

“The initiative has yet to be fully implemented, but has been tested on a small scale in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, while the process of obtaining purchase licences and permits is being finalised,” she added.