Nanta taps a rubber tree as Zulkefli (right) looks on.
SONG: Rubber smallholders must utilise assistance and facilities provided by the government to produce quality yields and increase their plantations.
In giving this advice, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the various assistance and facilities for smallholders including fertiliser, saplings and rubber replanting aid provided by his ministry each year through the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) showed that the government was determined to improve the lives of the rural people.
“This is the proof that the government is always concerned and striving to improve the welfare of rural people especially the smallholders.
“Rubber replanting is expected to continue to grow as there is a potential area of 700 hectares already identified. We have received applications from smallholders for this purpose,” he said when officiated at Risda’s ‘Love the Smallholders’ (Sayangi Pekebun Kecil) programme at Rumah Cecelia Bunsu Sebat in Nanga Kebiau here yesterday.
He said this year his ministry had allocated RM41.2 million to Risda Sarawak for rubber replanting and other programmes. A total of 13,182 smallholders across the state had benefited from the allocation involving 1,802ha for new rubber replanting and 23,843ha under the ‘Tanam Semula Getah Ke Getah Sambungan’ (Continuous Rubber Replanting Programme).
Considering the uncertain prices of rubber, he said they would implement income generating entrepreneurship programmes for the smallholders more aggressively this year.
Nanta disclosed that this year, Risda Sarawak had allocated RM1.2 million for Additional Economic Activities and Entrepreneurship for smallholders.
Besides that, Risda also stressed on support programmes for smallholders’ human capital development like People’s Tuition Programme (PTP) and Women Rubber Smallholders Group (PWPK), he added.
He explained that PTP was an additional class programme for five Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia core subjects – Mathematics, Bahasa Malaysia, English, Science and History – for free for children of rural smallholders, adding that this year, Risda Sarawak received an allocation of RM275,000 to carry out PTP in 22 schools.
The programme started during the Ninth Malaysia Plan and it had been able to help improve students’ achievement, he noted.
He said that this year, Risda Sarawak had allocated RM18,000 for activities of 15 PWPK. Risda Sarawak director Zulkefli Zaini and deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang were also present.