BERA, March 3 — The rural and regional development ministry has allocated RM90 million to implement programmes to increase the income of about 50,000 smallholders and rural residents affected by the current rise in the cost of living.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in order to implement the programmes, all agencies under the ministry would be included in a ministerial-level special committee to tackle the cost of living.

He will chair the committee.

“The government understands that the price of rubber has dropped and those tapping in rubber plantations owned by others are the most severely affected group because they can only earn half of the production output.

“Smallholders under the Rubber Industries Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) who mostly own land of 2.5 hectares are also affected.

“This special committee will help the rural residents to increase their income, with a target of not less than RM1,000 a month,” he said after a get-together with smallholders and launching the Bera Smallholders Cooperatives here today.

He said through Risda, a total of RM42 million had been channelled to help smallholders plant other crops and carry out livestock breeding to provide them with additional income.

Ismail Sabri said agencies from other ministries, such as the Community Development Department would also organise various skills courses for women, such as sewing and cooking, which could be used to generate income.

“All assistance will be given for free, while for those who want to expand their businesses, the ministry will provide loans of up to RM250,000 through the Rural Economic Financing Scheme,” he said.

At the same time, he said the ministry would also expand the replanting policy to allow smallholders to plant other crops such as oil palm, fruits and vegetables that could give lucrative income compared with rubber tapping. — Bernama