But this has changed, thanks to the Madani government’s Rubber Productivity Incentives for Latex Smallholders (IPGPKL) initiative, introduced in 2024.

The scheme, overseen by the Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority (Risda), provided a light at the end of the tunnel for the 72-year old from Jeram.

“I used to earn RM1,000 a month, but now I can make around RM2,000. And that’s a lot,” he told FMT.

The father of six said the scheme provides a fair income when rubber prices fall below the activation price level, and encourages rubber tappers to ramp up production.

The finance ministry had in the 2024 budget raised the IPG activation price level to RM3 per kg with an allocation of RM400 million.

Apart from the cash incentive, Asmungi was provided with RM20,000 under the Risda Agro-food Programme, aimed at helping rubber smallholders diversify their income by venturing into other agricultural activities, including poultry and goat farming.

“Risda has helped us a lot and I am grateful. I’m proud that I’m able to feed my family,” he said.

Nur Fariza Azura Tajul Urus, who heads Risda’s productivity and marketing development unit, said IPGPKL was created not only to improve the rubber tappers’ quality of life, but also to help meet the country’s needs.

She said that under the incentive, rubber tappers would be able to earn RM300 from 30kg of dry rubber, retailed at RM7 per kg, instead of RM210.

Nur Fariza said the scheme has benefited some 4,000 smallholders in Selangor and more than 500,000 nationwide.

Separately, Hairusakirin Sarman, a senior Risda officer in Selangor, believes that smallholders have a bright future ahead.

“With the numerous initiatives, living from hand to mouth will be a thing of the past for smallholders.

“Now we just need to get them to adopt the latest technology and pivot from being rubber tappers to entrepreneurs in a bid to attract the younger generation,” he said.