KUCHING, Feb 16: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (MPIC) through the Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM) has implemented the Latex Production Incentive (IPL) programme to encourage small rubber farmers to produce latex as an alternative to increase their income.
This was stated by MPIC minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof during today’s question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat in response to a question from Pokok Sena MP Dato Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya about the ministry’s short and long term strategic actions to reduce the burden on rubber tappers in light of the recent drop in rubber commodity prices.
“MPIC has implemented the IPL programme through LGM specifically to encourage small rubber farmers to produce latex.
“This programme allows small rubber farmers to increase their income by encouraging them to switch to producing latex rather than scrap rubber.
“Every small rubber farmer who participates in this programme will receive a cash incentive of RM1 per kilogramme for 100 per cent dry rubber content (KGK),” Fadillah explained.
He went on to say that the participants, too, would receive a one-time assistance in the form of agricultural input like fertilisers and poison worth RM850 per hectare.
Fadillah, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, stated that MPIC has also implemented initiatives to protect the interests of small rubber farmers, such as the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) and the Rubber Industry Transformation Project (Target).
Furthermore, he stated that the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) also assists by providing incentives, grants related to commercialisation and new product development, as well as hands-on facilitation for companies that produce new rubber products for commercialisation.
He also highlighted that MRC assists small rubber farmers in diversifying their sources of income by collaborating with related associations to produce new rubber products, such as handicraft products made from rubber leaves and seeds, as well as providing marketing training and new product production. — DayakDaily
