KUALA LUMPUR: The government has disbursed over RM474 million to 217,705 rubber tappers under the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) as at August this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the government remained committed in ensuring that the worries of rubber tappers were heard, and had, during the 2024 Budget, announced that the activation pricing level for IPG had been increased from RM2.70 to RM3 per kilogramme (kg), with an allocation of RM400 million.

"It is hoped that the increase in incentives would alleviate the burdens of smallholders especially when there is uncertainty in rubber price.

"The Plantation and Commodities Ministry, through the Malaysian Rubber Board, had also conducted the latex production incentive (IPL) pilot project," he said in Dewan Rakyat today.

Fadillah, who is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister, further explained that the monthly incentive rate had been increased to RM2 per kg for 100 per cent dry rubber, up from RM1 per kg, and the minsitry had also introduced a participation incentive payment of RM200 per month for a limited period of one year.

He also said the ministry had also made encouragement incentive payments of RM100 monthly for a year and a productivity incentive based on yearly productivity that achieved targets.

"This will involve smallholders selling latex produced directly in factories where transportation costs will be reduced and smallholders receive higher prices for their yield.

"This pilot project started in Sungkai, Perak, and will be expanded to Kedah and Sabah," he added.

Fadillah was responding to a question by Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (Barisan Nasional-Kuala Pilah) who had asked about the government's methods and initiatives to help rubber tappers who were facing challenges with the low rubber prices.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/10/971492/over-rm474-million-disbursed-217205-rubber-tappers-august-dpm

Sumber : New Straits Times