RISDA II (AGRICULTUR

closed

The Second RISDA Project will build on the overall positive results of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) I Project and continue to pursue the objectives of increasing the productivity and efficiency of the rubber smallholder subsector, improving RISDA's institutional effectiveness, and helping develop human resources and the private sector in rural areas. The project will support: (a) replanting of 90,000 ha of old rubber, maintenance during immaturity of this area and additional 200,000 ha replanted prior to the project, and rehabilitation of 5,000 ha; (b) upgrading and maintenance of about 1000 km of agricultural access roads; (c) extension and smallholder training; (d) applied research by the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM); (e) mini-estate development and improvement, mainly through the introduction of low-intensity tapping systems; (f) strengthening and restructuring of cooperatives; and (g) institutional strengthening through further development of computerized management information systems, human resource development, and improved monitoring and evaluation.