Join Tsb Group Replanting Programme, Risda Urges Landowners

KUALA BERANG, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) is urging landowners to participate in its group replanting programme (TSB) to boost the country’s rubber productivity. 

Its chairman Manndzri Nasib said through the TSB programme, smallholders can enjoy various benefits including technical assistance, financial support and access to modern technology.

He said the programme can also enhance the quality of rubber yields, reduce operational costs and ensure the sustainability of plantations in the long term.

“Managing rubber plantations through the concept of forming committees among landowners will ensure that the development and management of the plantations are carried out more economically and efficiently.

“In addition, TSB participants also have the advantage of receiving basic infrastructure including agricultural roads, drainage and culverts, which will also benefit surrounding residents in boosting rural economic activities.

“Efforts to boost the economy through integration 'on-farm' or 'off-farm' projects in TSB project areas such as cash crops and livestock can also be implemented due to their good income generation potential,” he said during an official visit to the Tanjung Rengas TSB project in Kampung Pasir Simpul, Hulu Terengganu, here today, which was also attended by Terengganu RISDA director Zulkifli Salleh.

Manndzri also said that RISDA is targeting 82 replanting projects to be carried out nationwide through TSB this year.

The projects are expected to cover an area of 3,156 hectares, benefiting 1,864 smallholders.

He said the latest one in Terengganu, the TSB Tanjung Rengas project covering an area of 25.56 hectares, is being developed in Hulu Telemung with an allocation of RM350,000, involving 15 participants.

“These 82 projects include those in Terengganu, Pahang and Sarawak, as well as several other states as we are actively working to open new land sites for rubber planting.

“This project is part of efforts to enhance the productivity and output of the country's natural rubber, thereby contributing to the prosperity of MADANI rural communities,” he said.

In addition, he said RISDA has allocated RM50 million this year for the implementation of various activities under the Additional Economic Activities (AET) Programme and Entrepreneur Development to boost participants' income.

“RISDA always welcomes participation from all interested parties in the rubber planting programme, which is one of the country's important commodities.

“So far, 553,000 participants are registered under RISDA, with a planting area exceeding one million hectares,” he said.

  -- BERNAMA