Government committed to uplift 500,000 Risda smallholders

The government is committed to uplifting the income of some 500,000 smallholders nationwide through the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda).

Rural Development Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad said RM461 million had been allocated to implement Risda's development programme initiatives.

Among them, he said, was an income diversification programme, where entrepreneurial assistance would be channelled to smallholders through additional economic activities with an allocation of RM50.3 million.

"Agro-food programmes such as livestock breeding, short- and long-term crops are also being implemented to provide a second source of income to smallholders," he said.

Abd Latiff said the RM300 COVID-19 Hari Raya Aidilfitri Special Aid was also given on a one-off basis to 291,904 Risda smallholders whose income had been affected due to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Abd Latiff also announced the appointment of Abdullah Zainal @ Deraman as the new director-general of Risda effective Wednesday, replacing Datuk Wan Ahmad Shabri Zainuddin Wan Mohamad whose service contract ends tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA