Factors influencing the Cocoa Smallholders Behavior Decision Making in Hilir Perak

Abstract

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.

A review on participation of cocoa smallholders in agricultural certification scheme

“…In this part, the keywords for agricultural certification schemes included in this review are: agricultural and certification scheme [7,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,18,19] or certified [20] or similar since it was used in the title. Then, the search term for smallholders was smallholders or farmers or producers [11,14].…”

“…A productive MCB staff, especially in the extension agent division, provides them with more information. These agents must complete their tasks to disseminate new technologies and inputs like fertiliser [7].…”

“…The factors affecting cocoa certification among smallholders include receiving motivation and support [7], awareness of the certification [8], educational status of the smallholders in the cocoa sector [9], training and courses that will be received by the smallholder through the certification scheme [10]. In addition, smallholders' attitudes toward certification participation, and access to credit positively and significantly influenced certification decisions [9].…”