22/02/2012 (Borneo Post) - The current upward trend in natural rubber and crude palm oil prices will continue to sustain over the long-term, says Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority (Risda) chairman Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Chik.

He was optimistic prices would sustain if both commodities do not depend on the export markets of Europe and the US but instead make further inroads into new emerging markets like India, Russia, China and other developing Asian countries.

“Although we are feeling the impact of the recession in Europe and the US, we are still able to record reasonable growth as Risda continues with its ongoing efforts to raise smallholders income.

“Rubber and oil palm prices are enjoying robust prices and if the problem (recession) recovers, prices will surge further,” he told reporters after officiating the Sekolah Kebangsaan Ayer Limau Parent-Teachers Association meeting in Masjid Tanah.

Meanwhile, Rahim said Risda would celebrate four decades of involvement with smallholders by organising a grand event in May to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

About 3,000 smallholders, nationwide, including from Sabah and Sarawak, would attend the celebration.

In conjunction with the celebration, the prime minister was expected to open the Risda Biotechnology Centre in Kajang which propagates high-yielding oil palm clones. — Bernama