BETONG: The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) continues to be committed to implementing various programmes and assistance to develop nearly 103,805 hectares of untapped mature rubber involving 50,469 smallholders in the state.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said among the initiatives involved was the mature rubber scheme (SGM) programme which included Level One to Five assistance, such as additional SGM assistance to replant rubber with a maximum value of RM8,400 in Sarawak.
This initiative, she said, would benefit 50,469 smallholders in Sarawak, covering an area of 103,805 hectares out of 258,528 hectares.
“RISDA is committed to developing the rubber industry in Sarawak by allocating RM510,000 to empower the Rubber Productivity Improvement Movement (GPPG) in the state.
“The allocation is aimed at encouraging initiatives to increase rubber productivity among smallholders, especially those who still own untapped rubber plantations.
“Recognising the importance of smallholders cultivating idle rubber trees, RISDA has divided this allocation into two main components, namely the Rubber Productivity Improvement Programme (PPG) of RM434, 264.50 and the Rubber Productivity Incentive Scheme (SIPG) of RM75,735.50,” she said.
Rubiah said this in her speech when officiating at the Sarawak RISDA Rubber Productivity Improvement Programme at the Dewan Panglima Rentap near here.
In addition, she said smallholders, including family members, had the opportunity to apply for Agro-Food Programme assistance with a value of between RM20,000 and RM30,000.
She said the programme involved short-term planting with rubber trees or engaging in individual or group livestock activities.
“Through the Entrepreneurship Programme, RISDA provides assistance of up to RM20,000 to smallholder entrepreneurs in four business segments, namely food, handicrafts,” she said.
Rubiah, who is also Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament, hoped that these grants would give encouragement to smallholders to turn rubber plantations into a sustainable source of income and strengthen the well-being of the smallholder community in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, RISDA is currently implementing the 2033 Rubber Smallholders Census (BPKG) programme involving nearly 600,000 respondents nationwide.
“This census programme aims to collect information on rubber smallholders for future development planning.
“The census is conducted by various methods including face-to-face interviews with RISDA field officers or via telephone calls.
“RISDA emphasises that smallholders provide full cooperation during the implementation of this census programme,” she said.
Also present were Betong Member of Parliament, Dr Richard Rapu and Sarawak RISDA director, Shaharuddin Saberi.
