A survey had been done in the Hilir Perak with the association of the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) to study on factors affecting cocoa smallholder behaviour at MCB Hilir Perak. In this case study, the factor used as the independent variable to determine the smallholder attitude are, prior knowledge, facilitating condition, subjective norm and also the perceived behaviour control. Whilst, for the dependent variable is the cocoa smallholder behaviour. 59 respondents were randomly selected from the smallholder name list given by the MCB. Data collected pooled and analyse by using SPSS software to find the correlation of the factor. Prior knowledge and facilitating condition factor show significance difference towards cocoa smallholder attitude (P<0.05). This case study proves that the social pressure and motivation from people surrounding are not enough to change the smallholder attitudes. It must also being supported with conducive condition and adequate knowledge to the smallholder in order to change their attitudes and indirectly will increasing the cocoa production.
From this paper, it is an effort to investigate the most efficient harvesting tools that must be applied by all oil palm producers. It is similar to identify which harvesting tools are the most efficient that reflected the labour productivity and cost management for harvesting operation. The motorised cutter, mechanised CKAT, manual chisel and manual sickle were tested based on capacity and cost involved. EFC for motorised is superior to manual with 0.29 ha per hour for motorised and 0.22 ha per hour for manual. The trials carried out on manual harvesting technique by using chisel shows that effective working hour per hectare is 1.64 ha per hour and effective working hour per hectare for mechanised harvesting technique is 1.84 ha per hour. Also, the cost involved in both harvesting tools, the motorised cutter price is RM 4500 plus its operational costs, the harvesting cost comes to RM 8.78 per tonne, and for the manual sickle cost is RM 143 plus its operating cost, it comes to RM 10.14 per tonne. Furthermore, the cost for manual chisel is RM 80 and the cost per tonne for manual harvesting technique is RM 22.35 and cost for CKAT is RM1500 plus and cost per tonne for CKAT is RM 24.05. Therefore, by using the motorised cutter, the estate would reduce 50% of its labour requirement in the harvesting operation.
Innovation and invention in field mechanization for oil palm sector has created a variety of advancement in technology. The change in oil palm operation to mechanization will overcome the problem of labour shortage occurrence in oil palm sector. The problem occurs in harvesting tall oil palm is the height of oil palm that causes difficulty to cut the fresh fruit bunch by using manual labour. Moreover, the use of automated harvester also will make the harvesting operation easier without the requirement of skilled labour and ensuring labour safety. The automated harvester has advantages and disadvantages that need to be improved in meeting the oil palm requirement. This study overviews the mechanization that are used in harvesting tall oil palm. This research project has resulted in the development of high technology mechanization based on previously developed machine for harvesting fresh fruit bunches (FFB) at 10 meter and above of oil palm age tress. However, the previous developed machines cannot be accepted in the current and widely practiced Industrial revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). Mechanization approach makes harvesting tall oil palm a reality to overcome the problem that normally occur in oil palm sector due to height of oil palm.
This study examines farmers perception on good agricultural practices (GAP) on rubber's production. The purpose of this study is to identify the strength of relationship between the GAPs factors and rubber production. The data collection process was created by distributing the questionnaire form to the 114 smallholders of Kuala Ketil, Kedah. Data collected has been analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). This study can determine which factors among harvesting, fertilizing, landscape conservation, and mechanization that is being important to the farmers and obviously can affect the production of the rubber itself. This paper shows that the farmers perception on GAPs elements are significantly has positive moderate strength relationship on rubber production. The mechanization is proven to be the dominate factors in increase the rubber production. The findings indicate that the state Agency in Kedah need to pay attention in raising the important of GAP among smallholders, and the agency should introduce the motorize tapping machine to boost the rubber production.
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