JOHOR BAHRU, July 4 – Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering smallholders through various initiatives under the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority to improve incomes and strengthen the rural economy.
He said this while officiating the RISDA Agromajestic Johor 2026 programme, which brought together smallholders and members of the local community in Johor.
According to Zahid, the government’s initiatives, including positioning RISDA as the country’s rubber “anchor buyer”, have begun to yield positive results, with rubber prices now reaching one of their strongest levels in the past decade.
He said the initiatives have benefited more than 508,000 smallholders nationwide by ensuring they receive better returns for their hard work.
Zahid also noted that RISDA’s role is no longer focused solely on the rubber industry. Instead, the agency is expanding its efforts by developing underutilised land for the agro-food and agricultural sectors.
He said the move aims to strengthen Malaysia’s food security, reduce dependence on imported food, and create more income-generating opportunities for rural communities.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the government will continue to ensure RISDA remains an agency dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of smallholders while strengthening the rural economy for the benefit of Johor and the nation as a whole.
He added that empowering the agricultural sector and supporting smallholders will remain among the government’s key priorities in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic prosperity across Malaysia.
— MINUTESMY
