RISDA MAIN RUBBER BUYER PROGRAMME RECORDS RM3.79 MLN IN PURCHASES AS OF FEBRUARY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) has successfully purchased and collected a total of 1,197.77 metric tonnes of smallholder rubber, with a cumulative purchase worth RM3.79 million as of February, during the implementation period of the Main Rubber Buyer initiative, which has been active since early January 2026.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that RISDA’s initiative as the Main Rubber Buyer is a strategic step to restore the dignity of the national rubber industry.

It also helps strengthen the local supply chain, increase rural incomes, and ensure the future competitiveness of this commodity sector.

“This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the country. Domestic rubber production has the potential to increase by up to 75 per cent, with a target collection of 300,000 metric tonnes in 2026, contributing about 29 per cent to domestic requirements.

“This step is crucial to reduce the country’s dependence on natural rubber imports, which were estimated to be worth RM7.6 billion in 2024,” he said in a statement on his Facebook account on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Deputy Prime Minister said the government will continue to ensure that efforts to improve the livelihoods of more than 508,000 smallholders nationwide are fully realised, in line with the spirit of the MADANI Rural Aspiration, which emphasises people’s well-being, economic sustainability, and equitable development.

He added that the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) through RISDA, will continue to strengthen its role as the Main Rubber Buyer, while increasing the average purchase price by RISDA Plantation Sdn Bhd (RPSB) from around RM3.00 to RM3.70 per kilogramme (kg).

He said that previously, rubber prices at the farm level were only around RM3.00 per kg, causing smallholders with one hectare of land to earn only about RM750 per month.

“This increase will directly raise the average monthly income of smallholders from RM1,125 to RM1,387.50, with an additional RM387.50 per month or RM4,650 per year for each smallholder.

“For a plantation of 1.5 hectares in size, income is expected to reach RM1,708 per month, while for areas of 2.0 hectares and above, it has the potential to reach around RM2,278 per month,” he said.

-- BERNAMA