NIBONG TEBAL: Life is getting better for nine villagers in Sungai Setar, near Sungai Acheh.

They used to earn about RM750 a month, but thanks to a chilli planting project, they now get RM600 to RM700 a month more.

The project was initiated by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

With help from the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), the participants turned a one-hectare piece of fallow land into productive space.

One of them, Ismail Din, said the villagers harvested about 1.3 tonnes of chillies worth RM6,000 last month.
"We are now enjoying a better life without having to work elsewhere.

"This project has given us a new lease on life," said the 57-year-old father of three.

source: The New Straits Times