15/07/2015 (Bernama) - A special committee is still studying suggestions and options on how smallholders can maintain or even increase their income when the market price of commodities like rubber and palm oil drop.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said the committee is under the chairmanship of Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

"Among the suggestions are the setting up of a central factory, better transportation system, greater downstream processing of raw materials, crop diversification and others.

"We are still fine tuning them but the idea is basically to help the smallholders increase their income," he said.

Earlier Shafie presented a cheque to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu for a one-off payment, totalling RM37 million, on behalf of rubber smallholders in the state affected by a slump in the price of the crop.

They included 1,589 farmers from the Bau district near here who received a total of RM794,500.

Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Risda director-general Datuk Seri Wan Mohamad Zuki Mohamad were among those present.

Shafie also said to help children of the smallholders nationwide who excelled in their studies, Mara and Risda had created 20 scholarships for them to pursue their education overseas beginning this year.

"Risda Foundation is also providing three scholarships for such children to study at local universities," he said.