Latest news with #RubberIndustrySmallholdersDevelopmentAuthority
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Risda Carnival 2025 targets 10k visitors with 60 local delicacies
KUALA LUMPUR: The Rasa Asli Desa Risda Carnival 2025 kicked off today, running until June 30, with organisers targeting over 10,000 visitors. The event features 28 entrepreneurs from 13 states presenting more than 60 types of local culinary delights. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Datuk Rubiah Wang highlighted the ministry's support for rural entrepreneurs, particularly smallholders under the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda). 'Programmes like this not only add value in terms of marketing and sales, but also provide a real space to strengthen brands, business matching and market network development for rural entrepreneurs,' she said during the launch at Wangsa Walk. Rubiah noted that many participating entrepreneurs earn between RM5,000 and RM10,000 monthly, with some already recording RM1,000 to RM2,000 in sales on the first day. She expressed confidence in achieving the carnival's RM200,000 sales target. Themed 'Rasa Tulen, Sentuhan Istimewa' (Authentic Flavours, Special Touch), the event blends tradition with creativity, featuring dishes like kek lapis, rendang maman, and gulai temenung. Noorazlina Saramali, a 32-year-old entrepreneur from Beaufort, Sabah, shared her enthusiasm for introducing Sabahan specialties like kelupis and kucong to urban visitors. 'Kelupis is glutinous rice cooked with coconut milk and steamed in the same way as kucong, but kucong has a peanut filling flavoured with shrimp. I want to introduce kelupis to the people of Kuala Lumpur because this food is rarely available here,' she said. Siti Hajar Husnan, 39, from Negeri Sembilan, brought Johor's burasak and lepat loi, typically seasonal treats now available year-round thanks to retort processing. 'Actually, this is a seasonal food, but when we process it using the retort method, it can last up to a year and can be eaten anytime. We also sell it online on Shopee and TikTok, good thing there is always demand,' she said. The carnival also features the RisSMart 24 brand stall by Risda Agri Food Sdn Bhd (RAFI), offering pastries, wagyu skewers, and tom yam bowls. Additional activities include traditional cooking demos, a nostalgia-themed night showcase, and a kids' beauty pageant.
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Zahid: Build depot to boost rubber production in Sarawak
SERIAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to build a high performance depot in Sarawak, as soon as possible. He said the proposed depot will be built in the Samarahan Division. He added that the depot was expected to enhance the efficiency of Sarawak's rubber supply chain, and support smallholders in marketing their products. "Currently, we plan to build two such depots in each state. In Sarawak, one will be in Samarahan, while the location for the second is yet to be determined," he told reporters, after attending the Sarawak Risda 2025 smallholders programme and Pre-Gawai Day celebration, here, today. Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, also highlighted that Malaysia spends RM6 billion annually on rubber imports, to meet the needs of the country's industries. He added that to reduce dependency on imports, Risda has been tasked with strengthening efforts to boost local latex production. "Currently, 87 per cent of the country's rubber output comes from smallholders, with only about 13 per cent from large plantations. This shows how heavily we rely on smallholders. "Risda is responsible for coordinating engagement sessions with smallholder associations and individual smallholders, to increase latex production," he said. At present, Sarawak has approximately 161,000ha of rubber plantations, with more than 98,000 smallholders involved in the sector.
Barnama
31-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Build Depot To Boost Rubber Production In Sarawak
GENERAL SERIAN, May 31 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) to build a high performance depot (DPT) in Sarawak, as soon as possible. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the proposed depot will be built in the Samarahan Division. He added that the depot is expected to enhance the efficiency of Sarawak's rubber supply chain, and support smallholders in marketing their products. 'Currently, we plan to build two DPTs in each state. In Sarawak, one will be in Samarahan, while the location for the second is yet to be determined,' he told reporters, after attending the Sarawak RISDA 2025 smallholders programme and Pre-Gawai Day celebration, here, today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, also highlighted that Malaysia spends RM6 billion annually on rubber imports, to meet the needs of the country's industries. He added that to reduce dependency on imports, RISDA has been tasked with strengthening efforts to boost local latex production. 'Currently, 87 per cent of the country's rubber output comes from smallholders, with only about 13 per cent from large plantations. This shows how heavily we rely on smallholders. 'RISDA is responsible for coordinating engagement sessions with smallholder associations and individual smallholders, to increase latex production,' he said. At present, Sarawak has approximately 161,000 hectares of rubber plantations, with more than 98,000 smallholders involved in the sector.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ahmad Zahid wants RISDA to establish high-tech rubber depot in Sabah
Ahmad Zahid officiating at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, at SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Tenom.-Bernama photo TENOM (May 18): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to establish a High-Tech Rubber Depot in the district to boost the rubber industry and support smallholders in the state. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Minister, said Sabah has excellent potential in the rubber industry, adding that the state has the largest rubber plantation area in the country, spanning 202,536 hectares or 25.69 per cent of Malaysia's total rubber cultivation area. 'With the establishment of the depot, Risda should also develop downstream rubber-based products commercially, including conducting research into biofuel derived from scrap rubber, as one kilogramme of coagulated rubber residue can produce five litres of biodiesel known as RISDA Biofuel,' he said. He said this when delivering his speech at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, Pekebun Kecil Makmur, at the SJK (C) Chung Hwa hall here on Sunday. At the ceremony, Ahmad Zahid announced Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the honorary national advisor for Risda to ensure the voices of smallholders in the state continue to be heard. Ahmad Zahid said the government strives to stabilise the rubber industry despite the current low rubber floor price. '…the floor price for cup lump is set at RM5 per kilogramme, and the current market price has reached RM5.01 per kilogramme, as seen in Tangkak, Johor. We need to transform the rubber industry from a sunset industry (declining) into a sunrise industry (growing) by injecting elements of high technology and innovation,' he added. He said Malaysia was once among the world's largest natural rubber producers from the 1930s to the 1990s, but due to price issues and labour shortages, it is currently the world's sixth-largest rubber producer. 'Therefore, Risda must find solutions. Develop technologies, train young people using the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach and mobilise them to the sector with new skills, not just as rubber tappers but as value creators,' he said. He also urged Risda to focus on replanting efforts and using old rubber trees in the furniture manufacturing industry. 'We have the potential to replant 40,000 hectares annually, which could generate up to RM9 billion in rubber timber value if fully utilised. The furniture industry should not be concentrated only in Muar, Johor. I propose that Tenom be developed as Risda's furniture industry hub in Sabah,' he added.-Bernama
Barnama
18-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Ahmad Zahid Wants Risda To Establish High-tech Rubber Depot In Sabah
TENOM, May 18 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to establish a High-Tech Rubber Depot in the district to boost the rubber industry and support smallholders in the state. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Minister, said Sabah has excellent potential in the rubber industry, adding that the state has the largest rubber plantation area in the country, spanning 202,536 hectares or 25.69 per cent of Malaysia's total rubber cultivation area. 'With the establishment of the depot, Risda should also develop downstream rubber-based products commercially, including conducting research into biofuel derived from scrap rubber, as one kilogramme of coagulated rubber residue can produce five litres of biodiesel known as RISDA Biofuel,' he said. He said this when delivering his speech at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, Pekebun Kecil Makmur, at the SJK (C) Chung Hwa hall here today. At the ceremony, Ahmad Zahid announced Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the honorary national advisor for Risda to ensure the voices of smallholders in the state continue to be heard. Ahmad Zahid said the government strives to stabilise the rubber industry despite the current low rubber floor price. '…the floor price for cup lump is set at RM5 per kilogramme, and the current market price has reached RM5.01 per kilogramme, as seen in Tangkak, Johor. We need to transform the rubber industry from a sunset industry (declining) into a sunrise industry (growing) by injecting elements of high technology and innovation,' he added. He said Malaysia was once among the world's largest natural rubber producers from the 1930s to the 1990s, but due to price issues and labour shortages, it is currently the world's sixth-largest rubber producer. 'Therefore, Risda must find solutions. Develop technologies, train young people using the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach and mobilise them to the sector with new skills, not just as rubber tappers but as value creators,' he said.
