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.
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 for the Agrofood Programme, she said, adding both assistance programmes would benefit some 13,489 Risda members nationwide.
"The assistance is given by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development 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, today.
Noraini said Risda has also allocated RM63.75 million for Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance (BKKA) this year, which would benefit 318,642 smallholders nationwide.
According to her, the recipients of the BKKA are the recipients of the Monsoon Aid last year and it targets smallholders holding areas of less than 2.5 hectares.
"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 at bmt.risda.gov.my," she said.
Meanwhile, Noraini said through Risda Foundation, social corporate responsibility activities were 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