The changing structure of farm household economy in Malay rice-growing villages

This study focuses on the structure of household expenditure in discovering the real condition of household economy in rice-growing villages. We identified actual expenses and detailed consumption items for basic subsistence at the household level in two villages. The expenditure function in the two villages indicates that the head of the household, on-farm income and off-farm income are major determinants influencing the expenditure patterns and items bought by the household. In Kg. HC off-farm income and remittances determine household expenditure rather than on-farm income. The results indicate a contrast in expenditure behaviour at the household level between the two villages, where off-farm income in Kg. HC was strongly related to household expenditure while in the case of Kg. PTBB the relationship was influenced by on-farm income

Expenditure analysis of the farm household economy in Malay paddy growing villages.

Malaysia has experienced tremendous economic transformation from agriculture based to a manufacturing based. Such development has spillover effect on the livelihood of farming household in paddy growing areas by engaging in the off-farm income activities. Household income level in Malaysia has improved, which gave a great change on people’s life-style with improvement of living standard. However, there have been income inequalities between the East and West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia paddy area due to the locational difference of industrial parks, where most of the industrial parks are located in the West Coast. The east coast farming areas might have experienced different phase of transformation in living standard compare to the West Coast people in the vicinity of industrial parks. In the midst of socio-economic changes in the paddy farming sector, it is necessary to clarify the living standard and life-style among the East Coast people vis a vis to the west coast paddy farming community of Peninsular Malaysia. This study aims to examine patterns of household expenditure in relations to household income. We identified actual expenses and detailed consumption items for basic subsistence at the household level in four paddy farming areas. A structured questionnaire was designed to capture the information needed and surveys were conducted in four rice granary areas in the states of Penang and Kedah in the West Coast and Terengganu and Kelantan in the East Coasts. The food expenditure and electricity bill were two of main expenditure items in the four areas. The results indicate that on average the household expenditure in east coast is lower compare to the West Coast with an Engel’s coefficient at 43.3%. While in the East Coast areas, on average the Engle’s coefficient is about 33.6%. The expenditure function indicates that off-farm income and number of family members are the major determinants influencing the expenditure level

Factors influencing consumption decision of fresh fruits from Malaysia: a case of foreign nationals in Malaysia

This study was carried out as a move to increase Malaysia’s fruit exports. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the consumption decision of foreign nationals in Malaysia as move to understand their behavior and pattern in purchasing fresh fruits from Malaysia. This study was carried out in Malaysia among foreign nationals and it was found to be the first of its nature to be carried out in Malaysia. A total of eighty three respondents participated in six focus group discussions. Data was analyzed via exploratory factor analysis which is commonly used in examining consumer preferences and behavior. The three factors identified in influencing the consumption decision of Malaysian fresh fruits among foreign nationals were (1) price and fruit intrinsic attributes; (2) fruit physical aspects and uniqueness; and (3) occasion, familiarity and user status

Data envelopment analysis models and software packages for academic purposes

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a popular technique used in measuring the performance of an industry. DEA has wide applications in agriculture, manufacturing, health care, transportation, education, energy and environment, as well as banking and finance. However, many students and academicians are in dilemma in finding the appropriate software to execute a particular DEA model. In recent years, different DEA software packages have been developed by some universities and companies for both academic and commercial purposes. The software packages offered wide varieties of most recent DEA models that could be used in science and technology. Some of these software packages are free for academic users while others are commercialised. In this study, nine different DEA software packages were reviewed. Among them, only three are free for academic purposes while four have been commercialized. One of the former is still in the development stage, but expected to be available soon

Determinants of paddy farmers demographic factors on unsustainability farm practices

Sustainable agriculture is closely related to farming practices. There are many farming practices such as land preparation, use of fertilizers and weedicides among other indicators of farming practices that lead to sustainable agriculture. In particular, weed and pest control are focal points for certain crops such as cotton, rice, vegetables, and fruit with heavily applied chemical inputs which cause unsustainability in farming. Among food crops, paddy requires enormous doses of fertilizers, weedicides, and pesticides to keep it healthy and productive. The objective of this study is to determine the factors that contribute to the unsustainability of paddy farming practices at field level via Paddy Farmer Sustainability Index (PFSI) based on the current 33 paddy farming practices. Tobit regression analysis found that knowledge and awareness played essential roles as the determinant of unsustainability level in paddy farming

Paddy farmer's perception and factors influencing attitude and intention on adoption of organic rice farming

As a staple food, the availability of rice is essential for Indonesian people. It is undoubtable that Green Revolution (GR) has a significant contribution to rice production. However, GR also emerges the detrimental impact, mainly on the environment. The expectation is that organic farming is an appropriate solution for dealing with this issue. On one side, the increased in demand for healthy food implies the organic farming has a good prospect. However, the adoption rate of organic farming is still low among farmers. This study aims at examining the perceptions of paddy farmer and factor affecting attitude and behavioral intention to adopt organic rice farming. This study involved 600 paddy farmers as respondents in Sragen District, Central Java, Indonesia. The study grouped the respondents into two categories, i.e., semi-organic and conventional farmers. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The results showed that the perceived usefulness, perceived ease, and environmental concern affected positive and significantly on attitude. Meanwhile, the behavioral intention was influenced significantly by attitude, subjective norm, moral obligation and perceived behavioral control. Conclusively, the perceptions on technology characteristic, environmental concern, moral obligation have a positive impact on attitude and intention to adopt organic rice farming. Therefore, the dissemination of organic rice technology should be accelerated to take the advantages of positive attitudes by changing their mindset toward adopting organic rice farming

Data Envelopment Analysis Models and Software Packages for Academic Purposes

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a popular technique used in measuring the performance of an industry. DEA has wide applications in agriculture, manufacturing, health care, transportation, education, energy and environment, as well as banking and finance. However, many students and academicians are in dilemma in finding the appropriate software to execute a particular DEA model. In recent years, different DEA software packages have been developed by some universities and companies for both academic and commercial purposes. The software packages offered wide varieties of most recent DEA models that could be used in science and technology. Some of these software packages are free for academic users while others are commercialised. In this study, nine different DEA software packages were reviewed. Among them, only three are free for academic purposes while four have been commercialized. One of the former is still in the development stage, but expected to be available soon

Preference for locally grown or imported fruit among the millennial generation in Johor, Malaysia

This study attempts to explore factors influencing the choice of locally grown or imported fruits among young Malaysians. It investigates how consumer preference, socioeconomics, and demographic profiles can affect their choice of which fruit category they pick. Five hundred respondents were interviewed by using a structured questionnaire to collect information related to their fruit preferences and choices. The millennium generation in Malaysia, especially the Malay living in Johor, were surveyed as a representation of future consumers of fruit and their subsequent choices and demand. Factor analysis was carried out on statements regarding consumer preferences on choices of local or imported fruit. Five factors were identified as the outstanding consumer preferences for fruits. Demographic profiles of the respondents such as family size, and dimension of fruit preferences, including country of origin, perceived quality, and environmental concerns, were important factors that affect consumers’ purchasing behavior in choosing locally grown or imported fruits. Logit regression indicated that family size, country of origin product quality, perceived quality, and variety of fruits will likely influence the preferences for fruit among the younger generation

Rice farmers' perception and attitude toward organic farming adoption

Back to nature lifestyle emerges as people were more aware against the adverse impacts of agro-chemical inputs in the early 21st century. This phenomenon has led the consumers, particularly for upper-middle income, to consume healthy foods. It implies that the organic farming has a good prospect in forthcoming years. However, the intention of farmer to practice organic farming is still low as indicated by slow rate of adoption. The literature review reveals that perception on innovation characteristics has a significant contribution on adoption behavior. Objective of this study is to examine the farmers’ perception, namely perceived usefulness, perceived risk, environmental concern, as well as attitude affecting their intention to adopt organic farming. This study involves 600 rice farmers as respondents in Sragen Regency, Central Java. The respondents were grouped into two categories namely semi-organic and conventional farmers. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire in May–August 2015. The results show that the perceived usefulness, environmental concern, and attitude positively and significantly affect intention to adopt rice organic farming from both of semi and conventional farmers. Meanwhile, the perceived risk influences negatively on intention to adopt organic rice farming merely for conventional farmers. It is concluded that the perceptions and attitude have significant effect on intention. Therefore, efforts should be undertaken to raise positive farmers’ perception and attitude. Farmers also need supports from several parties to encourage them to involve in organic rice farming