The Negeri Sembilan Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda)’s RM30.3 million development allocation should be utilised by the 41,775 rubber smallholders in the state.

State Risda deputy director Kamarul Azizi Mat Zin said of that sum, RM16.5 million was allocated for the replanting programme, while the rest was channelled into the mature rubber programme, entrepreneurship, agro-food and expansion activities.

He said that rubber smallholders, especially among the young generation, are urged to apply for the schemes offered, which can increase their monthly income.

“The income of rubber tappers with the current price of rubber is only around RM1,000, therefore Risda offers several schemes which these tappers can utilise to generate income up to RM4,000, especially in the entrepreneurship programme.

“Rubber tappers are also encouraged to produce latex, which has a value almost 30 per cent higher than scraps; there are 18 scrap depots and three latex depots in the state,” he told reporters here today.

Also present was the state Human Resources, Plantation and Non-Muslim Affairs Committee chairman, Chew Seh Yong.

Kamarul Azizi said that the response of rubber tappers in the production of latex in this state showed an increase, with the production of 33,000 kilogrammes of latex recorded last year.

In another development, he said that as many as 20,000 rubber smallholders in the state received Special Aidilfitri Assistance of RM200, and the incentive also benefited almost 30 per cent of other races who are rubber tappers, including the Chinese.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency