Dr Rundi tries his hands at the new rubber tapping ‘punching’ method during the event.
SIBU (Oct 22): The introduction of a new rubber tapping innovation known as the ‘punching’ method will transform Sarawak’s rubber industry, said Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
He said the new method allows rubber tapping to be carried out twice a week with higher yields compared to the traditional manual technique.
“This method uses a punching technique applied to the upper part of the rubber tree trunk, replacing the conventional cutting method which is more time-consuming.
“It can be done regardless of weather conditions, thereby increasing productivity and providing better returns for smallholders,” he said when officiating at the ‘Sarawak Rubber Industry Transformation: Strengthening of Nanga Sekuau Community Rubber Project’ at Dewan Penghulu Balang in Sekuau near here yesterday.
Dr Rundi said the introduction of this technology represents an innovative leap for Sarawak’s rubber sector, offering new opportunities for rural smallholders to boost their income.
However, he noted that many rubber planters have shifted to other crops such as oil palm, leaving large areas of rubber plantations idle.
“Sarawak currently has 161,000 hectares of land planted with rubber.
“For instance, in the Sekuau area, many rubber plots planted about 13 years ago are now overgrown and abandoned.
“If left unattended, these trees will continue to yield nothing,” he said, adding that initiatives by companies such as KMJ Nusantara Sdn Bhd could help revitalise the industry through modern technology and sustainable management practices.
The Kemena assemblyman said the state government, through the Sarawak Rubber Industry Board (SARIB), remains committed to strengthening the sector so that it continues to serve as a sustainable source of income for rural communities, particularly the B40 (low-income) group.
“This initiative is in line with the objectives of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the Sarawak 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which position agriculture as one of the key drivers of the state’s socio-economic transformation.
“With the adoption of the punching method and technology-driven agricultural approaches, the state government is confident that Sarawak’s rubber industry can not only be revitalised but also developed into a new, sustainable economic pillar for smallholders across the state.”
Among those present were Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (Commodity and Regional Development) Datuk Martin Ben; advisor in the Sarawak Premier’s Office (Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development) Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom; Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang; and the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Sirai Daha.
