KUALA LUMPUR: Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has emphasised the importance of industry stakeholders collaborating to adhere to international sustainability standards and boost smallholders' income.
Entities such as the Federal Land Development Authority, Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority and Federal Land Consolidated and Rehabilitation Authority Bhd must be strong to help smallholders, Johari added.
"The reason smallholders' incomes are affected is because of poor quality seeds and being deceived about fertilisers," he said on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara on Wednesday.
When smallholders seek to purchase seeds, they lack guidance on selecting high-quality seeds.
"Despite having a technology that can produce fresh fruit bunches (FFB), the absence of informed seed selection can pose risks to the plantation's success," said the minister.
Johari also emphasised the need for estate management to meet agricultural requirements, which include proper fertilisation.
"Fertilisers cannot be chosen arbitrarily. If they make the wrong choice and there is no nutrition in the fertiliser, it can affect the quality of the plantation," he added.
Johari said smallholders have the potential to generate economic value and increase their income two-fold if they are consolidated into a larger-scale operation.
"For example, if 10,000 hectares are collectively managed by all smallholders with their own land, and run as a large estate, the yield will increase," he added.
With proper seeds and fertiliser, they can produce higher yields of up to 28 tonnes from 10 tonnes currently.
