About Risda

BACKGROUND RISDA

Establishment Profile

RISDA is one of the Federal Statutory Bodies under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and was established on 1 January 1973 under Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority Act (Act 1972). It was established by the authorities endorsed by Parliament:-

1. RISDA Rubber Industry Smallholders’ Development Authority Act
   (Act 85, 1972)
2. Rubber Industry (Replanting) Fund Ordinance 1952.

With the establishment of RISDA, it is clear that “the Government takes a serious view of the role of the Smallholders Sector as one of the most important yield-production sectors of the national economy."

HISTORY OF RISDA

With the establishment of RISDA, an organization which specifically guides the smallholder sector towards progress and social and economic development has been created. RISDA will also determine that the nation's natural rubber industry becomes stronger and more stable. RISDA is established as the Government sees the importance of a new policy and strategy for the development of the smallholder sector.

As mentioned earlier, RISDA is responsible for all aspects of smallholder development. This includes modernizing the smallholder with complete application of research findings and technical advancement in rubber cultivation and processing, and thus, cooperating with MARDEC in creating an efficient marketing system for the smallholder. But most importantly is the development of new attitudes and concepts of modernization for the smallholder which is relevant to the situation today.

Therefore, it is clear that the elements of modernization must be the fundamental basis of RISDA's concept in enabling all our smallholders to utilize modern practices to increase the rubber production quality as well as to earn higher returns.

RISDA also was approach in addressing the problems faced by the smallholders. In the past, smallholders' problems were addressed by several organizations, that is, the Rubber Industry Board (Replanting), the Rubber Research Institute, as well as MARDEC. Now all this will be managed by RISDA. Therefore, simultaneous execution of research findings by the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, and the marketing system by MARDEC, can now be implemented for the benefit of all the smallholders nationwide. With the Integrated Approach, RISDA will ensure that the smallholder sector that is modernized in all aspects will enjoy an improved economy and a better quality of life.

The question of improving the smallholders' economy is closely related to the execution of the New Economic Policy. Therefore, RISDA will give its full cooperation to all the related government agencies. Undoubtedly, RISDA will play a very important role in the execution of the New Economic Policy, particularly in the restructuring of society.

MEMBERS OF THE RUBBER INDUSTRY SMALLHOLDERS

DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:

• The Chairman
• A representative from the Ministry of Rural Development
• A representative from the Ministry of Primary Industry
• A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture
• A representative from the Ministry of Finance
• The Director of the Malaysian Rubber Board