Plantation Ministry Seeks Allocation To Replant Oil Palm, Rubber In Budget 2025 - Johari

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) will apply for additional allocation to replant oil palm and rubber via the upcoming Budget 2025, said its Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

"We want to request an additional budget for the replanting of old oil palm trees from the Finance Ministry (MoF)," he told the media after visiting the KPK stall at the 2024 UMNO General Assembly (PAU) today.

The government had previously allocated RM100 million via the Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting Financing Incentive Scheme (TSPKS 2.0) under Budget 2024 tabled last October.

At the same time, Johari said the ministry would also like to ask the MoF to consider an allocation to replant rubber trees to help smallholders under Budget 2025.

"Replanting (rubber) is also another initiative that requires capital. We will put this forward to the MoF," he said, adding that the initiative is an effort to reduce dependence on natural rubber imports in the future.

In the meantime, Johari said the ministry, via its agency, has urged smallholders to register for the BUDI Agri-Commodities programme to enjoy a government cash contribution following the implementation of the diesel subsidy rationalisation programme.

Of the total 210,00 smallholders nationwide, about 18,000 have registered for the programme.

"When personnel from KPK agencies went on the ground, they discovered that a lot of information did not filter down to the smallholders even when the subsidy rationalisation was underway. We want to ensure they are not affected," he added.

-- BERNAMA