KOTA BHARU: Fallen rubber seeds offer smallholders like Mohd Azlan Mat Noor of Kampung Berdang, Tanah Merah, a valuable source of income.
By collecting and selling rubber seeds to RISDA nurseries, they earn between RM70 and RM170 for 20 to 50 kg.
“Since the Movement Control Order, rubber seeds have become harder to gather,” said Mohd Azlan.
The best time to collect is during the dry season from July to August, when quality tends to drop due to rain in the monsoon.
Though not a primary activity, gathering seeds while tapping trees adds RM3.50 per kg to income. “During the monsoon, we only collect 4-5 kg,” he added.
Community clean-up efforts help clear overgrowth for easier collection.
RISDA’s Kelantan Nursery manager, Mohd Sakri Derahman, explained that local rubber seeds are of higher quality, with better germination rates.
“We need over a million seedlings in 2025, so we’re actively sourcing seeds through social media campaigns.”
RISDA currently requires 10 metric tonnes, and smallholders from Machang, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, and Kuala Krai are responding positively.
Seeds must be fresh, glossy, and stored no longer than a week to ensure a high germination rate.
The germination process takes about 10 months before seedlings are ready for planting. – BERNAMA
