RM189.08 million dividend payout for Risda, Felcra smallholders

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced an RM189.08 million dividend payout to Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) smallholders and Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) participants.

He said through Risda’s dividend, a total of 16,080 smallholders in the rubber and oil palm sectors under the Cluster Replanting Scheme (RTBB), as well as 15,165 smallholders in the Commercial Replanting (TSK) scheme, will receive 2020’s dividend worth RM82.03 involving 39,430ha.

Speaking at the Risda headquarters, here, today, Muhyiddin added that Risda would also distribute its corporate tithe to 4,000 underprivileged smallholders and selected religious institutions involving RM2.48 million.

“Up to 58,826 Felcra Bhd participants nationwide will receive 2020’s final total income distribution worth RM107.053 million in stages starting today.

“The payout is the result of the net profit of 890 farm projects owned by participants that are developed by Felcra.

“The remaining 327 projects are those that are yet to have any yield and are in the phase of replanting.

“I would like to congratulate the Rural Development Ministry, Risda and Felcra on their success in presenting this assistance which is meaningful to the rural community.

“It is my hope that this dividend will more or less ease the economic burden of Risda smallholders and Felcra participants in facing the Covid-19 pandemic and to prepare for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations,” he said at the Sultan Ahmad Shah auditorium.

Also present were Rural Development Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad and Risda chairman Datuk Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif.

Source: NST