THE East Coast Latex Corridor, which aims to develop a latex corridor in the east coast states of the peninsula, will increase national latex production, says the Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.

       Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said currently, latex production was largely concentrated in Johor, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak and Kedah.

       He added that last year, the country’s total latex production could only meet around 7.3% of domestic demand, mainly from the glove manufacturing sector.

       “We are targeting an increase of 10% in latex rubber production through this initiative,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Wee said as of August, four licensees (rubber buyers) had registered under the East Coast Latex Corridor programme involving 115 smallholders.

       “Every rubber smallholder who participates in this programme will receive one-off assistance in the form of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides worth RM850 per hectare.

       “Participants will also receive incentives of RM1.00 per kilogram for 100% dry rubber content.”

       Wee said RM16mil had been allocated this year for the Latex Production Incentive (IPL) programme aimed at promoting local latex production and latex supply chain development.

       He said IPL payments were automatically made based on RRIMniagaTM system transaction records and rubber smallholders who produce and sell latex do not need to submit an application to claim the incentive.

       “They just need to make sure that they sell to rubber buyers who are using the RRIMniagaTM system.

       “The IPL incentive payments will continue to be credited into their accounts,” said Wee.