KOTA KINABALU: The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) has allocated nearly RM1.5 million for its Program Pemulihan Kebun Getah Terbiar (PGT) in Sabah this year to restore underutilised land and help strengthen smallholders’ household incomes.
Risda Chairman Manndzri Nasib said the programme was among the priorities under Risda Sabah’s overall RM22.31 million development allocation for 2026, which covered rubber cultivation, productivity improvements, agricultural infrastructure and socioeconomic development.
“The effort focuses on areas with rehabilitation potential so that underutilised land can once again contribute to production and household economies,” he said when officiating the 2026 Risda Smallholders Convention for the Sabah Zone here on Friday.
The two-day convention, held on Oct 15 and 16, brought together more than 400 smallholders from across Sabah to share experiences, strengthen their knowledge and build confidence in improving rubber productivity and production.
Manndzri acknowledged that some plantations were left unattended because of labour shortages, limited capital and the condition of the land, rather than by choice, stressing that rehabilitation efforts must take these practical challenges into account.
“Risda’s approach must be grounded in reality – identify the challenges, prioritise appropriate solutions and make prudent use of available resources,” he said.
According to Risda’s current rubber smallholder census, Sabah has 74,625 smallholders cultivating more than 204,000 hectares, representing a substantial sector whose potential depends on how effectively the land is managed, yields are improved and family incomes are strengthened.
Manndzri urged smallholders to maximise production from mature rubber trees, maintain their plantations through good agricultural practices and ensure the quality of their rubber remained high, saying consistent efforts could make a significant difference to household incomes.
“Every small step taken consistently and continuously on our respective plantations can make a big difference to family incomes,” he added.
Beyond rubber cultivation, Risda is also seeking to strengthen household economic resilience through alternative income-generating activities, with RM354,100 allocated for its Program Aktiviti Ekonomi Tambahan (AET) & Keusahawanan this year.
A further RM331,320 had been spent on the Program Agromakanan, which supports activities outside rubber cultivation, including short-term crops and livestock farming, to provide supplementary economic opportunities for smallholder families.
Manndzri said the success of these initiatives should be measured not simply by the amount of funding or number of programmes implemented, but by tangible improvements in smallholders’ lives, including more productive plantations, higher yields and stronger household economies.
Additionally, Manndzri said Risda was also working to improve access to its services for smallholders in remote areas, where geographical challenges and limited staffing could complicate assistance delivery.
On Budget 2027, Manndzri welcomed the increase in Budi Agri-Commodity cash assistance but hoped the Government would consider raising both the number of recipients and the amount provided, saying this would further ease the burden on rubber smallholders.
He also stressed that recipients of Risda’s additional economic activities and agrofood assistance received guidance from the agency to help them manage their businesses and reduce risks.
The convention also recognised outstanding achievements in rubber productivity, mature rubber smallholding management, entrepreneurship and agrofood projects, alongside the Outstanding Smallholder Award for the Sabah Zone 2026.
Ann Antah, founder of Chantek Borneo, said her venture into textile design and printing was driven by her interest in exploring a different industry while promoting Sabah’s culture through locally inspired designs. Officially established in 2014, the business handles the entire production process, from design and printing to cutting, packaging and quality checks, and has since expanded into ready-to-wear clothing and merchandise.
Beyond its commercial activities, Chantek Borneo adopts an inclusive business model that creates work opportunities for the surrounding communities in Kota Kinabalu and Tuaran, engaging more than 40 people. The company works with mothers who sew products such as bedsheets and bed runners from home, supplying them with materials prepared through its design, printing and cutting processes before handling the finished products for quality checks and distribution to clients.
Ann, who received the Best Entrepreneur Award at first place, credited Risda for supporting her as a smallholder and recognising her efforts to venture into a business beyond rubber cultivation. She said RISDA’s Additional Economic Activities programme provides assistance to smallholders seeking to explore other industries and develop alternative sources of income.
Ann also co-owns a rubber smallholding in Kinarut with her sisters, but the family lacked the expertise to manage the land themselves. They therefore entrusted its management to Risda and followed the agency’s plans, with Ann noting that the smallholding only began to develop after Risda became involved.
Drawing from her experience, Ann encouraged other smallholders to seek Risda’s assistance if their rubber plots had potential for development, saying they did not necessarily have to manage the land themselves.
“With Risda’s assistance, you can focus on other areas where you can make the best use of your own skills,” she said.