RM900k windfall for Kedah Risda smallholders

RM900k windfall for Kedah Risda smallholders

A total of 399 Risda (Rubber Industry Smallhol­ders Development Authority) smallholders in the northern state of Kedah in Malaysia, received dividends amounting to RM908,020 under the Cluster New Planting Scheme (RTBB).

Its chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said it was for last year and part of the total amount of RM112.33 million (RM39.59 million under RTBB and RM72.73 million under the Commercial Replanting (TSK) scheme) announced by Prime Mi­­nis­ter Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the national-level event in Temerloh on April 2 this year.

He had earlier handed over the mock cheque for the sum to Kedah Risda director Ramlie Tumin.Zahidi said the Government had allocated RM36 million for Kedah Risda this year to carry out replanting, entrepreneurial, rubber productivity incentive and other programmes.

On another development, he said Risda planned to implement the programme of growing the perennial sachainchi (sacha peanut/inca nut) plant to increase the income of housewives under the Risda schemes.

“Currently, Risda Ventures Sdn Bhd is growing the plant on a trial basis. We will provide the seedlings and start the cultivation of the cash crop in two months. We estimate that the participants can earn RM200 to RM300 per month from this venture,” he said.

The seeds have high protein and oil content that is rich in Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9, which are good for health.