By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 15: Malaysia needs to shift into automation and mechanisation in rubber farming to reclaim the title of world’s largest rubber producer.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said Malaysia used to sit on the top spot in the world before its rubber production kept declining to where it now currently sits as eight largest in the world.
He also informed that Malaysia even imports latex (concentrate) from Thailand and Vietnam to the tune of RM3 billion a year.
“It (rubber industry) is actually a ready market for us to tap but unfortunately the rubber planters are about my age which means that they cannot wake up too early in the morning.
“In order to produce latex, you have to wake up at around 4am and work until 11am to make sure you can produce good quality latex.
“This is where technology has to come in (in terms of) how we can automate and mechanise the whole process of rubber tapping, planting and eventually tree cutting because rubber trees are required for furniture,” he said during Technological Association Malaysia (TAM) National Conference 2023 with the theme ‘Technology Without Borders 2030’ held at Imperial Hotel here today.
Speaking to the reporters after the event, Fadillah further said that Malaysia is still the world’s leading producer of latex goods such as rubber gloves and the sixth leading country in terms of furniture production.
However, the country is forced to import raw materials in the process.
“This is where technologists and technicians can play their role to develop their research by going to the ground to meet with industry players, rubber farmers and introduce how they can automate all the process so that the productivity can be increased.
“These are the cooperation areas that I want to see between the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and the relevant government agencies,” he added.
Among those present were TAM president Tung Chee Kuan, MBOT president Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir and TAM Sarawak branch chairman Dr Ting Sie Chun. — DayakDaily
