KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) must explore new programmes to increase smallholders’ income, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
He said Risda should plan new reforms, not rely solely on the rubber sector.
“The problem is when the price of the commodity fluctuates according to the demand of the international market, we have to compete with artificial rubber or synthetic rubber.
“This is the most bitter challenge facing us to the extent that the government must increase the ceiling price, but the increase cannot resolve smallholders’ problems,” he said when officiating the Excellent Student Appreciation Ceremony of Risda Rakyat Tuition Programme Year 2023 here today.
A total of 640 students who attended the tuition programme under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry achieved excellent results in the 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.
Also present were Risda chairman Manndzri Nasib and Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Khair Razman Mohamed.
Zahid, also rural and regional development minister, said he hopes to see changes in Risda under its new leadership.
He gave one year for Risda’s top management to bring out changes, not only in terms of profit but also in terms of benefits for the smallholders.
“I also want the subsidiaries to continue to contribute to Risda and Risda to contribute to them … The old way should be changed.
“The use of technology must be introduced, not only in tapping rubber trees but also in processing latex. We need a game changer,” he said and instructed Mohd Khair Razman to discuss with Risda’s management on the direction of new changes by the agency.
“We must cooperate with other ministries, including the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, for the production of downstream products, where we are heavily dependent on the sale of unprocessed materials.
“For example, we have to import more than RM6 billion in unprocessed rubber from a neighbouring country although we are a rubber producer,” he said.
— Bernama
