Focus on R&D to boost rubber production – Fadillah

KUCHING: For Malaysia’s rubber industry to regain its former glory in terms of rubber production, the solution lies in embracing mechanisation and automation.
 
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Malaysia was once the top producer of rubber in the world, but presently it holds the eighth position in the rankings.
 
“We used to be number one in rubber production in the world, but now we are number eight. And we import latex from Thailand and Vietnam to the tune of RM3 billion a year.
 
“So, it (the rubber industry) is a ready market for us to tap, but unfortunately, the rubber planters are about my age, and not many young ones want to venture into this industry.
 
“To produce latex, you have to wake up around 4am and work until 11am to make sure you can produce good-quality latex.
 
“Therefore, this is where technology has to come in, and we need to look at how we can automate and mechanise the whole process of rubber tapping, and here, I require the Technological Association Malaysia (TAM) to provide the expertise to focus on research on how we can produce automation or mechanisation in rubber plantations,” he said.
 
He said this when launching the TAM National Conference, themed “Technology Without Borders 2023,” at the Imperial Hotel here today (April 15).
 
Additionally, Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Plantation and Commodity, said the use of new and creative technology also applies to the palm oil sector.
 
“The machine that is being used to harvest palm oil fruit is quite big and heavy, so the locals can’t afford it, not only in terms of dollars and cents, but also we need to produce a lighter machine for us to do the harvesting.
 
“These are the areas that I think we need to focus on, as said by Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) president Datuk Siti Hamisah Tapsir, we need to produce the machine, and we cannot just simply import it from outside.
 
“In other words, what we need to focus on now is research and development (R&D), and hopefully we can even go for commercialisation. But to do that, we need technologists who are creative and innovative,” he pointed out.
 
Later, when met by reporters after the event, Fadillah further said the country is still the world’s top producer of latex goods such as rubber gloves; however, the country still needs to import the raw material in the process.
 
“Therefore, experts such as technologists can go to the ground to meet the farmers, planters, and tappers and understand the process of work.
 
“By doing so, you can have ideas on how you can mechanise or offer them automation instead of the traditional way of doing work.
 
“This is what is called a knowledge-based economy, and we need to have the input from all the experts, technologists, and technicians, and hopefully by that, we will be able to drive Malaysia to be a high-income economy,” he said.