The Rubber Industry Smallholders Authority (Risda) has been urged to conduct a transformation to be more innovative in diversifying its income sources.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was important to address the fluctuating rubber price in the global market due to current developments.

"Risda must diversify its income sources, what with the the falling price of rubber in the world market," he told reporters after attending Risda's Aidilfitri open house at Keratong Risda  Community Farm Complex, here yesterday. 

Ismail Sabri said Risda cannot focus on farm produce or plantation but has to go into downstream manufacturing such as making fibre from oil palm bunches.