RISDA Introduces RisSMart Grocer To Market Products Of Entrepreneurs

BAGAN DATUK, April 26 (Bernama) -- The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) has taken another step to market products of local entrerpreneurs by introducing its latest initiative, RisSMart Grocer, a one-stop supermarket that brings together the products of these entrepreneurs in a modern market environment.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said RisSMart Grocer not only functions as a sales hub, but also serves as a medium for empowering rural products through labelling, halal certification and the latest branding strategies.

"The RisSMart Grocer initiative reflects RISDA's continuous efforts in strengthening the competitiveness of smallholder entrepreneur products, as well as increasing the income and profits of the RISDA group through active involvement in the retail and agro-food sectors," he said.

bootstrap slideshow

The Deputy Prime Minister was speakinhg at the opening of the 2025 Northern Zone RISDA MADANI Carnival (KARRISMA) at the Dato' Mohamed Jamrah Hall compound here today.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said that as part of RISDA's commitment to driving the development of smallholder entrepreneurs, KARRISMA this time features the RisSMart outlet as a gathering centre for various smallholder entrepreneur products.

"This concept is being expanded through the RisSMart24 platform which now has 11 branches with the concept of a convenience store and three RisSMart Butchery branches which market quality halal meat products around the Klang Valley.

bootstrap slideshow

"To date, more than 280 types of products produced by smallholder entrepreneurs have already been marketed in these RisSMart branches which compete with the product line of other brands," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said in order to face the challenges of the country's rubber industry at present, RISDA is implementing an innovative initiative that is capable of producing biofuel oil from rubber scrap.

He said that the initiative will activate the country's rubber production besides opening up the potential for alternative energy production and providing added value to the income of smallholders.

"Tests by the Kelantan State Chemistry Department have confirmed that this biofuel is safe and works without the need for additives, and has even been successfully tested on various machinery.

"This success proves that rubber waste is capable of producing high-value output while contributing to reducing carbon emissions, in line with the goal of environmental sustainability," he said.

He said the project has the potential to become a high-impact rural development model that drives the transformation of the rubber sector towards a sustainable and competitive future with the continued support of the government and the cooperation of various parties.

Meanwhile, RISDA chairman Manndzri Nasib said the agency had spent a total of RM101.16 million to implement smallholder community development programmes nationwide to date.

He said RISDA would continue to champion the well-being of more than 500,000 smallholders nationwide who are the backbone of the rubber commodity sector.

KARRISMA North Zone is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors with a sales target of reaching RM200,000 throughout the carnival, which is a significant platform for RISDA in strengthening the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem by bringing together the participation of smallholder entrepreneurs from the four northern states.

Meanwhile, there was also a handover of a memorandum of cooperation document between three strategic collaboration parties involving the combined expertise of RISDA Security & Services (RSS), Aerodyne Group and Aerodata Consulting in exploring drone technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics.

The collaboration aims to strengthen security services, facility management and monitoring through a high-impact digital approach.

Through projects such as asset monitoring, border control and river conservation, technology will be used to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs and reduce dependence on labour.

RISDA has also allocated a total of RM91.5 million for the RISDA Northern Zone Development Programme 2025, which includes the Rubber Replanting Programme amounting to RM45.9 million, Mature Rubber Scheme Programme (RM18.6 million), Entrepreneur Development Programme (RM10.7 million) and Agrofood Programme with RM6.9 million.

-- BERNAMA