RISDA Targets 70,000 Tonnes Of Sabah Rubber Through New Depot Network - Ahmad Zahid 

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) has set a target of managing 70,000 metric tonnes of smallholders’ rubber in Sabah through organised group marketing via a new network of collection depots to be built across the state.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said 10 rubber collection depots will be established in Sabah by the end of 2026 to support this initiative.

He said the strategic effort is aligned with the RISDA Transformation Model 2026–2030, which aims, among others, to restore Malaysia’s position as a leading global producer of natural rubber.

“These depots will serve as systematic collection hubs equipped with proper weighing, recording and payment processes,” he said when officiating the 2025 RISDA Sabah smallholders outreach programme at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today.

Also present were RISDA chairman Manndzri Nasib and Sabah RISDA Watan mobilisation coordinator Datuk Noraini Idris.

Ahmad Zahid said the provision of this infrastructure will enable 74,625 smallholders in Sabah, including 30,228 under RISDA’s supervision, to market their rubber more quickly, safely and without relying entirely on middlemen.

He said the network of depots managed by RISDA Plantation Sdn Bhd, RISDA’s wholly owned subsidiary, is expected not only to support the targeted volume but also to strengthen the local rubber marketing ecosystem for smallholders.

The deputy prime minister said strengthening the marketing system through strategic cooperation with the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) is expected to provide direct gains to smallholders through higher income, transparent sales processes and reduced price manipulation.

He said these improvements are also expected to boost market confidence and reinforce Sabah’s position as a significant rubber-producing state.

“In addition to group marketing, RISDA is also expanding service access for smallholders through weighing and storage centres, mobile rubber marketing services and the National Rubber Production programme, which focuses on restoring abandoned holdings and increasing productivity,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the strategy, supported by major rubber buyers, will help stabilise and optimise incomes for smallholders, in line with the government's ‘Aspirasi Desa MADANI’ agenda, which emphasises ensuring rural communities benefit fully from national development.

“I would like to emphasise that developing rubber smallholders requires a complete ecosystem, covering productivity, marketing, logistics and data management, not merely assistance alone.

“With the commitment of all stakeholders, Sabah’s rubber smallholders can remain a key contributor to the rural economy and an important driver of the national rubber industry towards the target of one million metric tonnes by 2030,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid also stressed that all import activities involving rubber must be halted immediately to allow prices to rise and ensure smallholders earn competitive incomes.

He further directed RISDA, LIGS and the Plantation and Commodities Ministry to avoid working in silos in efforts to elevate the rubber industry.

“Do not work in isolation. As a government and responsible agencies, we must coordinate efforts for the benefit of rubber smallholders and to ensure prices can recover,” he said.

-- BERNAMA