KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) is helping to eradicate poverty in the state through rubber cultivation programmes.
Its chairman Edward Linggu Bukut said LIGS, a state government statutory body, will achieve the target through a group rubber planting programme and the opening of rubber plantations under the 'Mini Estet Sejahtera' (MESEJ).
"LIGS has and is working on rubber cultivation in Telupid and Tongod, which involves participants comprising those among the villagers and Heads of the Poorest Household (KIRT)," he said in a statement.
According to the Department of Statistic's 2019 poverty line income data, Telupid and Tongod are among five Sabah poorest districts in the country.
Another three poor districts are Kota Marudu, Beluran and Telupid.
Edward, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) Sabah secretary-general, said the group rubber planting programmes cover 1,572.37ha areas in Telupid and Tongod.
Another 100ha for the MESEJ rubber plantation will be in Kampung Lanung, Tongod.
The board also assisted participants under the group planting programme to open farms, build roads and plant rubber, while providing training on rubber tapping, tapping equipment and facilitating in the direct purchase of produce.
He added that the Group Rubber Planting initiative has benefited 571 rural heads of households.
Edward and his entourage had earlier visited various LIGS programmes in the districts of Matunggong, Pulau Banggi, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Paitan and Ranau.