KOTA BHARU, Oct 26 — The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) has introduced five initiatives under the Rubber Productivity Improvement Movement (GPPG) to encourage smallholders in recultivating untapped rubber plantations.
Its deputy director-general (Development), Ahmad Zainal Abdullah, said these initiatives include the Mature Rubber Scheme (SGM) programme at levels one to five, with a total subsidy of RM7,700 per hectare in Peninsular Malaysia and RM8,400 for Sabah and Sarawak, respectively.
"The main objective of this scheme is to ensure an increase in rubber production among smallholders to the 1,800 kg per hectare target annually, with an income of over RM1,500 monthly.
"SGM levels one and two are designed to strengthen estate management with the latest technology, while SGM levels three to five provide incentives for smallholders who successfully meet the set productivity targets," he said.
Zainal was speaking to the press after opening the Rubber Productivity Improvement Movement (GPPG) Campaign and Kelantan Risda Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) Convention today.
Risda is also introducing a replanting package for old rubber plantations no longer yielding economic returns, with a RM400 support value per hectare, besides additional assistance through the Latex Incentive Scheme (SIL) and Latex Price Incentive Scheme (HIL).
At the same time, it has allocated RM11.5 million for the SGM programme in Kelantan, which involves 9,000 smallholder farmers.
— Bernama
