Risda, Felcra can aid Urda folk cultivate cash crops — Nanta

SONG: The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority ( Risda) and Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) can play a significant role to assist rural people involved in the Upper Rajang Development Agency ( Urda) area.

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said both Risda and Felcra can help to intensify socio-economic activities of the people in the area through cultivation of cash crops.

“Urda was formed recently and one of the scopes is to improve the socio- economy of the population in the area involved.

“I can see Felcra and Risda having a big role in Urda to help the people plant cash crops so they can generate income from it,” he told reporters when met after officiating at the ‘ Love the Smallholders’ programme organised by Risda Sibu at Rumah Cecelia Bunsu Sebat, Nanga Kebiau here on Sunday.

Urda was formed recently and one of the scopes is to improve the socio-economy of the population in the area involved. Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development

The formation of Urda was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg on April 25 this year, covering an area of 38,000 sq km in Kapit division and some parts of Bintulu.

Nanta, who is Kapit MP, hoped more people from Kapit will apply to join rubber replanting programmes by Risda.

For this year, he said there were 633 smallholders from Kapit, including from Song district, joining the programme which involved planting on 1,232 hectares of land.

For existing smallholders, he advised them to utilise assistance from the government because the main objective of the assistance is to help ease their burden due to the rising cost of living.

Risda Sarawak director Zulkefli Zaini, who spoke earlier, said Risda Sarawak is targeting to implement the rubber replanting programme on 3,000 hectares of land involving 1,500 participants next year.

He said they had achieved the target for a similar programme this year.

On the market for rubber, Zulkefli said the government has continued to give assistance to smallholders because there is demand for the commodity.

Native Customary Rights (NCR) land owners who are interested in joining the rubber replanting scheme can come to the Risda office, he added.

At the same function, Nanta presented acknowledgement certificates to 10 rubber replanting participants and Risda Sibuguided entrepreneurs.

Deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang and Song district officer Jackline August were also present at the function.