RISDA Launches Major Mission To Empower Sarawak Rubber Smallholders

SERIAN, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), through its agency the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Sarawak’s rubber smallholder community with a comprehensive development plan.

As part of this effort, RISDA announced a RM42.69 million allocation for strategic development programmes aimed at empowering smallholders across the state.

The announcement was made during the Pekebun Kecil Makmur programme and pre-Gawai 2025 celebration, held in Kampung Raeh Baru today, which around 1,000 smallholders and local residents attended.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi officiated the event, which aimed to foster closer ties between the ministry, rural communities and rubber smallholders in the region.

In addition to outlining development plans, RISDA also distributed food aid to 100 residents as part of the RISDA Foundation’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

One of the recipients, Minang Dawi, 43, stated that RISDA had played a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of smallholders in Kampung Raeh Baru, particularly through replanting initiatives and support for supplementary crops such as pineapples, lemongrass and bananas.

“These are now bearing fruit and bringing returns,” she said, adding that she hoped RISDA could also help farmers reach broader markets.

“Our crops are thriving, but we don’t yet know how to market them more widely. We hope RISDA can support us in this area,” she added.

Another rubber smallholder, Tajan Paing, 70, expressed gratitude for RISDA’s support, which had helped his rubber trees begin to yield, but urged the agency to improve the poor farm roads that continue to hamper access and transportation.

During the same event, Ahmad Zahid urged RISDA to expedite the construction of a High-Performance Depot (DPT) in Sarawak.

The proposed depot, to be located in the Samarahan division, is expected to enhance the efficiency of the rubber supply chain and support smallholders in marketing their products.

-- BERNAMA