BANTING (Sept 26): The government is considering rehabilitating 420,000 hectares (ha) of abandoned rubber estates by converting them into commercial bamboo plantations, which offer higher commercial value in the global market.

Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said that if the initiative is realised, it could enhance the country's participation in the commodity market and add value to the economy and national income. He noted that the bamboo industry was valued at about US$70.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to around US$100 billion by 2028.

"We have about 1.1 million ha of rubber plantations, with 420,000 ha untapped or uncultivated due to various factors. Many of the operators are elderly, and their children, having obtained degrees or other qualifications, are no longer interested in managing the plantation.

"There are two ways we could utilise the land — one is to invite the private sector to help us consolidate and resume rubber tapping. Alternatively, if we decide against planting rubber, we could offer the land to furniture industry players to cultivate bamboo, which is easier to maintain," he told the media after launching the National Bamboo Seminar and the World Bamboo Day Malaysia 2024 here Thursday.

Johari also highlighted that foreign investors have expressed interest in entering Malaysia's bamboo industry, but several constraints must be addressed before Malaysia can become a hub for this industry. "The main challenge to large scale bamboo commercialisation is limited land. Any commercial initiative requires no less than 2,000 ha, but currently, the industry operates on a small scale, with over 90% of bamboo entrepreneurs involved in small scale handicraft production," he said.

The minister said he has instructed the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) to conduct research and development of bamboo products that can be developed from local varieties. He also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation with state governments to expand the industry.

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