Latest news with #Risda
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Zahid: Build depot to boost rubber production in Sarawak
SERIAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to build a high performance depot in Sarawak, as soon as possible. He said the proposed depot will be built in the Samarahan Division. He added that the depot was expected to enhance the efficiency of Sarawak's rubber supply chain, and support smallholders in marketing their products. "Currently, we plan to build two such depots in each state. In Sarawak, one will be in Samarahan, while the location for the second is yet to be determined," he told reporters, after attending the Sarawak Risda 2025 smallholders programme and Pre-Gawai Day celebration, here, today. Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, also highlighted that Malaysia spends RM6 billion annually on rubber imports, to meet the needs of the country's industries. He added that to reduce dependency on imports, Risda has been tasked with strengthening efforts to boost local latex production. "Currently, 87 per cent of the country's rubber output comes from smallholders, with only about 13 per cent from large plantations. This shows how heavily we rely on smallholders. "Risda is responsible for coordinating engagement sessions with smallholder associations and individual smallholders, to increase latex production," he said. At present, Sarawak has approximately 161,000ha of rubber plantations, with more than 98,000 smallholders involved in the sector.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah rubber sector set for revival
Symbolic start: Ahmad Zahid at the launch of the Pekebun Kecil Makmur programme in Tenom. — Bernama KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's rubber industry is set for a revival, with efforts to transform it from a 'sunset industry' to a 'sunrise sector' with solid plans under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also heads the ministry, said the initiative spearheaded by the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) aims to modernise the industry by establishing high-tech rubber depots, promoting value-added production, and introducing advanced tapping techniques to boost smallholder incomes and secure the sector's long-term viability. 'This is about creating a sustainable future for our smallholders. 'We want to transform the rubber industry into a sunrise sector that can generate high value, create jobs and provide long-term economic stability for Sabah,' he said at the launch of the Pekebun Kecil Makmur programme in Tenom yesterday. To ensure Sabah's smallholders have a stronger voice at the national level, Ahmad Zahid also announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the national honorary adviser for Risda. Bung, who is also Sabah Umno chief and Kinabatangan MP, will serve as the voice for smallholders, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed, he said. Ahmad Zahid noted that Sabah, with the largest rubber plantation area in Malaysia, covering 202,536ha or 25.69% of the country's total, should be a priority in national development plans. As part of this transformation, he proposed the construction of high-tech rubber depots in Sabah to enhance downstream activities and create new income streams for smallholders. 'These depots should be built in Sabah, and funding should not be a concern as Risda already has the necessary allocations,' he said. Ahmad Zahid also highlighted the potential of Risda Fuel, a technology that converts 1kg of scrap rubber into five litres of biodiesel. Successfully tested, he said this innovation could provide smallholders with a valuable new product line. Ahmad Zahid called for more youth involvement in the rubber sector, urging Risda to modernise production and expand training opportunities through Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes. 'Young people should be trained, not just as tappers, but as value creators in the rubber industry,' he said. To further diversify the sector, Ahmad Zahid suggested turning Tenom into a furniture manufacturing hub, leveraging rubberwood from older trees to create high-value products. He estimated that if 40,000ha of rubber trees were replanted annually, the sector could generate up to RM9bil a year. At the event, a RM9.97mil allocation for smallholders was announced, to be managed by Keningau Risda. The funds will cover four key components: the replanting and supply programme (RM8.23mil), entrepreneurship and special programmes (RM1.2mil), the extension programme (RM206,000), and the productivity programme (RM331,000). This is part of the RM42.23mil set aside for Risda in Sabah under the national budget for 2025, aimed at boosting the overall welfare and economic resilience of smallholders across the state.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ahmad Zahid wants RISDA to establish high-tech rubber depot in Sabah
Ahmad Zahid officiating at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, at SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Tenom.-Bernama photo TENOM (May 18): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to establish a High-Tech Rubber Depot in the district to boost the rubber industry and support smallholders in the state. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Minister, said Sabah has excellent potential in the rubber industry, adding that the state has the largest rubber plantation area in the country, spanning 202,536 hectares or 25.69 per cent of Malaysia's total rubber cultivation area. 'With the establishment of the depot, Risda should also develop downstream rubber-based products commercially, including conducting research into biofuel derived from scrap rubber, as one kilogramme of coagulated rubber residue can produce five litres of biodiesel known as RISDA Biofuel,' he said. He said this when delivering his speech at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, Pekebun Kecil Makmur, at the SJK (C) Chung Hwa hall here on Sunday. At the ceremony, Ahmad Zahid announced Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the honorary national advisor for Risda to ensure the voices of smallholders in the state continue to be heard. Ahmad Zahid said the government strives to stabilise the rubber industry despite the current low rubber floor price. '…the floor price for cup lump is set at RM5 per kilogramme, and the current market price has reached RM5.01 per kilogramme, as seen in Tangkak, Johor. We need to transform the rubber industry from a sunset industry (declining) into a sunrise industry (growing) by injecting elements of high technology and innovation,' he added. He said Malaysia was once among the world's largest natural rubber producers from the 1930s to the 1990s, but due to price issues and labour shortages, it is currently the world's sixth-largest rubber producer. 'Therefore, Risda must find solutions. Develop technologies, train young people using the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach and mobilise them to the sector with new skills, not just as rubber tappers but as value creators,' he said. He also urged Risda to focus on replanting efforts and using old rubber trees in the furniture manufacturing industry. 'We have the potential to replant 40,000 hectares annually, which could generate up to RM9 billion in rubber timber value if fully utilised. The furniture industry should not be concentrated only in Muar, Johor. I propose that Tenom be developed as Risda's furniture industry hub in Sabah,' he added.-Bernama
Barnama
18-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Ahmad Zahid Wants Risda To Establish High-tech Rubber Depot In Sabah
TENOM, May 18 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to establish a High-Tech Rubber Depot in the district to boost the rubber industry and support smallholders in the state. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Minister, said Sabah has excellent potential in the rubber industry, adding that the state has the largest rubber plantation area in the country, spanning 202,536 hectares or 25.69 per cent of Malaysia's total rubber cultivation area. 'With the establishment of the depot, Risda should also develop downstream rubber-based products commercially, including conducting research into biofuel derived from scrap rubber, as one kilogramme of coagulated rubber residue can produce five litres of biodiesel known as RISDA Biofuel,' he said. He said this when delivering his speech at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, Pekebun Kecil Makmur, at the SJK (C) Chung Hwa hall here today. At the ceremony, Ahmad Zahid announced Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the honorary national advisor for Risda to ensure the voices of smallholders in the state continue to be heard. Ahmad Zahid said the government strives to stabilise the rubber industry despite the current low rubber floor price. '…the floor price for cup lump is set at RM5 per kilogramme, and the current market price has reached RM5.01 per kilogramme, as seen in Tangkak, Johor. We need to transform the rubber industry from a sunset industry (declining) into a sunrise industry (growing) by injecting elements of high technology and innovation,' he added. He said Malaysia was once among the world's largest natural rubber producers from the 1930s to the 1990s, but due to price issues and labour shortages, it is currently the world's sixth-largest rubber producer. 'Therefore, Risda must find solutions. Develop technologies, train young people using the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach and mobilise them to the sector with new skills, not just as rubber tappers but as value creators,' he said.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Zahid urges Risda to set up high-tech rubber depot in Tenom
TENOM: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to establish a High-Tech Rubber Depot in the district to boost the rubber industry and support smallholders in the state. Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Minister, said Sabah has excellent potential in the rubber industry, adding that the state has the largest rubber plantation area in the country, spanning 202,536 ha or 25.69 per cent of Malaysia's total rubber cultivation area. "With the establishment of the depot, Risda should also develop downstream rubber-based products commercially, including conducting research into biofuel derived from scrap rubber, as one kilogramme of coagulated rubber residue can produce five litres of biodiesel known as Risda Biofuel," he said. He said this when delivering his speech at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, Pekebun Kecil Makmur, at the SJK (C) Chung Hwa hall here today. At the ceremony, he announced Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the honorary national advisor for Risda to ensure the voices of smallholders in the state continue to be heard. Zahid said the government strives to stabilise the rubber industry despite the current low rubber floor price. "…the floor price for cup lump is set at RM5 per kg, and the current market price has reached RM5.01 per kg, as seen in Tangkak, Johor. We need to transform the rubber industry from a sunset industry (declining) into a sunrise industry (growing) by injecting elements of high technology and innovation," he added. He said Malaysia was once among the world's largest natural rubber producers from the 1930s to the 1990s, but due to price issues and labour shortages, it is currently the world's sixth-largest rubber producer. "Therefore, Risda must find solutions. Develop technologies, train young people using the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach and mobilise them to the sector with new skills, not just as rubber tappers but as value creators," he said. He also urged Risda to focus on replanting efforts and using old rubber trees in the furniture manufacturing industry. "We have the potential to replant 40,000 ha annually, which could generate up to RM9 billion in rubber timber value if fully utilised. The furniture industry should not be concentrated only in Muar, Johor. I propose that Tenom be developed as Risda's furniture industry hub in Sabah," he added.
