BATU PAHAT – The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) has allocated RM74.46 million to increase the income of smallholders and reduce their dependency on revenue from rubber production.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said out of the total allocation, RM44.46 million would be set aside for the Additional Economic Activity and Entrepreneurship Programme.
The balance of RM30 million would be used for the Agrofood Programme, she said, adding that both assistance programmes would benefit some 13,489 Risda members nationwide.
“The assistance is given by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry through Risda following the uncertainty in the rubber market and decline in its productivity,” she said in her speech at a meeting with smallholders and Santunan Kasih Ramadan Johor Risda 2023 event here yesterday.
Noraini said Risda has also allocated RM63.75 million for the special Aidilfitri financial assistance this year, which would benefit 318,642 smallholders nationwide.
According to her, the recipients are those who were recipients of the monsoon aid last year, and it targets smallholders holding areas of less than 2.5ha.
“This assistance will be credited directly into the bank accounts of the recipients as per their registration with Risda, while payment can be checked via its website,” she said.
Meanwhile, Noraini said through the Risda Foundation, corporate social responsibility activities are also implemented with the contribution of RM23,000 to seven mosques, two tahfiz centres, 20 tahfiz students, and 30 asnaf and orphans.
“Each mosque and tahfiz centre will receive a contribution of RM2,000 while the asnaf group, orphans and tahfiz students will each receive RM100 cash,” she added. – Bernama, April 11, 2023
