Malaysia currently is the world's third largest producer of natural rubber with a total production of 1.25 million tonnes in 2006. More than 90% of that production comes from the smallholder sector. Uplifting the living standard of rubber smallholders while at the same time maintaining Malaysia's position as one of the major producers and exporters of rubber in the world has been a primary concern of the Malaysian Government. Numerous programmes have been initiated and implemented over the years, such as the Low Intensity Tapping System (LITS) programmes.

Developed by the Malaysian Rubber Board, LITS involves latex stimulation techniques using gas and ethephon applied to rubber trees to boost latex production through less tapping days. By adopting this technology, rubber smallholders will experience an increase in income from rubber. They could also use their free time for other economic activities to further enhance their income. As for hired tappers, under LITS they could tap a larger area in a given time period thus reducing the labour problem in the rubber industry.

Three LITS Programmes have been implemented - LITS 1, LITS 2 and LITS 3. It was first launched in 2001 whereby the government had provided an allocation totaling RM 180 million for LITS 1 and LITS 2 programmes. The programme now continues into the third stage - LITS 3 - utilizing the balance of RM 67.68 million from the earlier allocation. The Malaysian Rubber Board is given the responsibility to implement LITS 3.