Rubber growers hope for perks during the drought
Published on: Monday, March 04, 2019
By: Mail Mathew
TENOM: Several rubber smallholders are disappointed with the price of rubber which remained unchanged, despite the new government previously declaring its willingness to improve the commodity’s prices.
Two rubber smallholders, Agui and Fatimah, from Kampung Mandalon Baru, expressed worry over the declining prices which affect their livelihood.
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The situation is getting worse as the dry season has now come to a point where rubber trees start shedding leaves until the month of May, followed by the season when it starts to fruit until July. Rubber trees will not produce much latex during those periods.
“We will have no income for four months, between the periods of March to July. Rubber tapping activities will be temporarily halted until August once the rubber leaves are old enough to tap.
“We hope the new government will do a one-off incentive programme similar to what the previous government had done to help rubber smallholders during rainy or dry season,” they said.
“Who else do the people, especially smallholders, turn to for help, if not for the government,” said Agui, adding that the people are the nation’s assets because they are taxpayers who generate revenue for the country.
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Meanwhile, former a former Community Chairman for Sabah Rubber Industry Board in Ulu Tepoh, Gonsubin Yosundang @ Bernard, said he is confused with the so-called efforts by the government to upgrade the commodity price which has yet to materialise to this day.
He said even after Parti Warisan Sabah together with Pakatan Harapan formed the new State Government, the Minister from the ministry concerned has stated that they are in the process of negotiating with federal regarding the matter.
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