KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will continue its RM20 million allocation to smallholders for the payment of rubber price incentives this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor today said smallholders would get an additional RM0.25 per kilogramme (kg) for thick rubber.
"The Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS), meanwhile, will contribute a subsidy of RM0.05 per kg, thus taking the total additional amount to RM0.30 per kg."
The state's 2023 Budget would also allocate RM16.35 million to LIGS for the development of the rubber commodity subsector, he added.
"So I want the LIGS management and its staff to raise the quality and effectiveness of service delivery for rubber smallholders, especially in developing the land owned by them right up to processing, and subsequently, marketing their rubber globally."
Hajiji said the state government had approved a monsoon season aid (BMT) of RM69,058,400 to 86,323 smallholders.
"The assistance has been raised from RM600 to RM800 per recipient and LIGS will distribute it, which will be paid out from today.
"The state government is sensitive and concerned about the problems faced by rubber smallholders and tappers.
"We find ways to help because smallholders also have to deal with uncertain weather conditions, especially at the end of the year, which affect their income."
He called on LIGS, together with relevant agencies, like the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), to deal with the issue of rubber trees infected with pestalotiopsis (fungi).
"The rubber industry worldwide is plagued by this disease, which can reduce rubber production by up to 50 per cent." --Bernama