Smallholders Welcome Hike In Rubber Replanting Assistance Rate

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- The government’s move to increase the assistance rate under the Rubber Replanting Programme has been welcomed by smallholders facing challenges related to costs and uncertainty in commodity prices.

Checks by Bernama found that most of them expressed appreciation to the government for its continued commitment to safeguarding their welfare and strengthening the resilience of smallholders, while also helping to boost the country’s rubber production.

In PAHANG, rubber smallholder Adnan Husin, 54, said the increase in assistance eases the burden on the group in carrying out replanting activities and improving yields in the future.

“Previously, smallholders might have had to postpone their plans to replant rubber due to the high costs involved. Now, they can proceed because they know the returns will be greater compared with tapping old rubber trees,” he told Bernama.

Another smallholder, Husin Mohamad, 63, said the increase in assistance would help him avoid going into debt to carry out replanting on his smallholding.

“My rubber trees are mostly old, and their yield is low. I want to replant, but I still don’t have enough capital. Thankfully, with the increase in government assistance, my plan to plant new rubber trees has been made easier,” he said.

In KEDAH, Rodhi Md Rejab, 49, from Felda Laka Selatan in Jitra, described the increase in the assistance rate as a positive step in strengthening the country’s rubber industry while easing the burden on smallholders.

“However, due attention should also be given to hired tappers who work on other people’s smallholdings. This group is among those most affected by the rising cost of living, yet receives less attention in terms of assistance or specific support,” he said.

For Mohd Zaki Othman, 56, from Padang Terap, who has been involved in rubber cultivation for over 15 years, the increase in the assistance rate would help ease cost pressures amid rising fertiliser and pesticide prices driven by global economic factors.

“The higher assistance will ensure that rubber tappers continue to work their smallholdings, as the rubber industry is becoming increasingly challenging… at the same time, it can help rubber tappers break free from the cycle of poverty,” he said.

In JOHOR, the state chairman of the National Association of Smallholders Malaysia (PKPKM), Khairul Aman Mohd Shah, described the increase in the assistance rate as a positive development that could attract young people to venture into the commodity sector.

He said the effort is important to continue the legacy of rubber cultivation and to produce a new generation that can help sustain and enhance the country’s production.

“We were once the world’s leading rubber producer, so it is not impossible for us to relive that golden era,” he said.

According to him, the assistance helps smallholders in various aspects, including land preparation as well as the supply of seedlings and fertilisers throughout the planting period, thereby boosting their motivation to continue their efforts.

At the same time, he opined that the government needs to strengthen the marketing aspect by ensuring more stable rubber prices to encourage increased productivity.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the increase in the assistance rate for the Rubber Replanting Programme in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to supporting rubber smallholders.

Ahmad Zahid said that through the improvements, the assistance rate in Peninsular Malaysia has been increased from RM13,710 per hectare to RM20,000 per hectare, while in Sabah it has been raised from RM14,955 per hectare to RM23,000 per hectare.

-- BERNAMA