15/01/2009 (The Star Online), Muar - An oil palm fruit weighing centre here has been receiving more than 22,000 tonnes of seeds every month since it was set up in March last year.

Risda chairman Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Chik said it was a tremendous for the centre to have attracted so many smallholders while other centres had difficulties.

“Since the centre also does marketing, it has large volumes of oil palm fruits to sell every month,” he said when opening an oil palm fruit weighing centre in Kampung Baru Lenga here recently.

Rahim said the team which operated the centre should be commended.

He urged Johor Risda director Kaab Alias to pass on the secret of its success to centres which were less successful.

He said that Risda had set up 15 weighing centres throughout the country and planned to build several more to cater to the increasing number the smallholders.

Meanwhile, Kaab said that Johor Risda had to compete with privately-owned centres in certain areas which paid higher rates.

He said that Risda had to explain to smallholders its many responsibilities including the supply high-grade seedlings, fertiliser aid and replanting aid.

He said that private centres had no obligations to help the people and could pay more than Risda.

Risda’s weighing system was faultless, he said, adding that the centres were warned not to cheat smallholders on weight.

“We asked smallholders to compare the weights per truck at the centre and at private ones and some recorded a difference of about 200kg in each tonne.

“After they realised the weight difference, they began to send their produce here,” he added.