Background Paper on Increasing Production and Productivity of Rubber through Cooperatives and Rational of Distribution Process with Special Reference to Rubber Smallholders in Malaysia

Abstract

The growing Importance of the small farm sector in raising agricultural productivity and farm income is well recognised today. Achieving higher levels of production depends, amongst others, on evolving suitable production programmes that are capable of securing the effective participation of the multitude of small farmers and improving the distribution and delivery mechanisms of modern farm inputs and services. The group replanting approach adopted by the Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority (RISDA) within the framework of its mini*estate concept seems capable of realising this objective. First introduced in 1979 as a strategy to spearhead the overall modernisation and development of the smallholder sector, the concept appears capable of offering several advantages of fairly large-scale operations that are conducive to increased production within a system of individual small rubber holding, and without Involving high capital investment or sophosticated manaqerial ahd organisajtional arrangements. Drawing from the experience gained so l far it has been demonstrated that the mini-estate approach can help to give a greater sense of strength and participation to member smallholders and can even motivate them towards achieving higher results. More significant perhaps, is the impact of group replanting on the smallholder population as a whole in providing them with a forum to discuss and find collective solutions to, their farming problems.