Mahdzir (right) getting feedback from a rubber tapper in Lubuk Merbau Felda settlement, Kedah, with rubber tree expert Sunny Nah (left) on the use of gaseous technology that boosted latex yield by over 600%.
ALOR SETAR: Barisan Nasional's GE15 manifesto for rural development is well within reach after a 'show-and-tell' in the backwaters of Kedah that more than doubled the latex yield for rubber tappers, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Mahdzir, who is Umno vice-president and incumbent Padang Terap MP, said the use of gaseous technology to invigorate mature rubber trees within 36 hours, making them give more than twice the usual latex output, stood to be one of the catalysts of empowerment to the rural economy.
"As stated in Barisan's manifesto, we seek to rectify the perception that rural development's end-goal is urbanisation. Instead, we seek to capitalise on wisdom, knowledge and expertise to drive rural competitiveness while preserving the values of our countryside," he said in Felda Lubuk Merbau, the second largest Felda settlement in the country about 50km from Alor Setar on Tuesday (Nov 15).
A team of rubber tree experts were recently sent to this Felda settlement, which boasts a sprawling 2,500ha of plantations with a population of over 6,000 and nearly 700 settlers, some of whom are into their third generation.
The settlers were shown how their latex yield can spike from 2.4kg from 20 trees to 15kg with the same number of trees, an increase of over 600%.
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"With the mandate of the people, we will show that Barisan's manifesto is attainable," said Mahdzir, 61, who is defending his seat against Pakatan Harapan's Muaz Abdullah, 25, PAS' Nurul Amin Hamid, 39, and Pejuang's Razali Lebai Salleh, 65.
Barisan's 100-point manifesto covers a broad range of objectives, among which includes Rural Empowerment and Food Security, which falls under Mahdzir's ministerial purview.
Yesterday, one of the participants in the show-and-tell organised by Mahdzir, rubber tapper Mat Saad Zabidi, 77, said in his 30 years as a rubber tapper, he had never used pots wired to rubber trees of a three-litre capacity. His previous pots were 1.5L, at the largest.
"Using old techniques, I could only earn, on a good month, about RM1,800 a month but now, my income has doubled," he said.
He expressed excitement for the technology introduced by Barisan because it meant greater output for less work for him.
One of the rubber tree experts, Sunny Nah, said the gaseous technology allowed a measured dose of the gas to permeate into a mature rubber tree that reduces the coagulation of latex flowing through the bark.
"This makes mature rubber trees yield more latex, as long as they are well cared for," he explained.
