KPPK HOPES SMALLHOLDERS WILL USE RRIM HYDROBEST TECHNOLOGY, RUBBER CREPE PROCESSING

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16  -- The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (KPPK) hopes the RRIM HYDROBEST technology can be used by smallholders nationwide to increase rubber plantations productivity.

The RRIM HYDROBEST technology is a water-based latex stimulating agent with two functions, namely increase latex production and minimise tapping panel from drying.

It is a formulation based on etefon and has been tested on various clones including 2000 series and also RRIM 3001 clone.

The ministry issued a statement today following the working visit by its Minister, Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, yesterday to Bukit Ibam Plantation in Muadzam Shah, Pahang, spanning 2,050.20 hectares and managed by LGM Properties Corporation, a corporation under the Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM).

Meanwhile, the ministry said in an effort to increase the role and economic status of rubber smallholders, besides having hands-on involvement in the rubber market network, LGM has introduced rubber crepe processing.

This model, it said, provides opportunities to smallholders to be involved in activities in the upstream sector, control the quality of raw material as well as rubber processing.

“It can also be used as a reference for cooperatives or smallholders entrepreneurs to produce semi-finished rubber crepe which has uniformity features and good quality, besides producing thick serum as value-added material.

“This model stresses on zero waste concept whereby waste material from processing activities are reused and processed to produce value-added material that has the potential for use in certain sectors,” said the ministry.

Cooperatives or entrepreneurs interested to lead the rubber crepe processing field as well as thick serum will be given guidance by LGM, it added.

-- BERNAMA