KUCHING, April 13: The state government will provide additional incentives for rubber smallholders on top of the rubber production incentive provided by the Malaysian Rubber Board.
Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said the state has decided to chip in to make the incentive more beneficial for rubber smallholders in Sarawak.
“The Malaysian Rubber Board will pay RM1.40 per kg of (100 per cent Dry Rubber Content) cuplumps and RM0.90 per kg of latex. It will also pay RM1.40 per kg for (100 per cent Dry Rubber Content) rubber sheet.
“Here, the state government will pay additional 50 sen per kg for both the cuplumps and the rubber sheet.
“This means that both cuplumps and rubber sheet will now be at RM1.90 per kg each,” the deputy chief minister said in a statement.
Uggah cited the Malaysian Rubber Board director-general Datuk Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor as saying recently that the rubber production incentive introduced nationwide last month was to help smallholders obtained better price.
The incentive for all rubber smallholders in Malaysia took effect from April 1 till 30.
“Since the statement says that smallholders in Sarawak under the supervision of the agriculture department can apply for the incentive for the whole month of March as well, the additional increase is also in effect,” he continued.
Uggah said the state Agriculture Department has called on rubber smallholders in the state to apply for the incentive.
“Although the increase is not big, it would allow rubber tappers in Sarawak to sell their produce at a more reasonable price and enjoy better income.”
He advised rubber smallholders who wish to obtain the incentive to have the Rubber Transaction Authority Permit (PAT-G) as required by the rubber board.
He added that the permit is obtainable free of charge from all agriculture offices in the state. Failure to produce the permit could result in delay to their processing or payment.
Payment to rubber smallholders will be made directly into their bank account as stated in their claim forms, he continued. — DayakDaily
