Analysis of the benefits of livestock to oil palm in an integrated system : evidence from selected districts in Johor, Malaysia.

Symbiotic relationships have been known to exist in Livestock-oil palm integration; this survey demonstrates with statistical figures based on current evidence on only the benefits of livestock on oil palm in an integrated system. Data were collected from 255 respondents under smallholder scheme in districts of Johor for the 2011 production season; basic descriptive statistics and farm budget tools were used for analysis. Results indicate that farmers maintain an average farm size of 2.52 ha to obtain an average Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) yield of 18.45 t/ha/yr, representing 2.6 t/ha/yr or 14.1% increase in yield due to livestock integration, an average labour cost of RM5.12/manhour was estimated and Total Variable Cost (TVC) constitute 88% of cost of production as against 12% for Total Fixed Cost (TFC). The research also estimated a reduction in cost of weeding worth RM534.68/ha/yr; from RM568.17/ha/yr down to RM33.49/ha/yr; commensurate to 94% saved cost from weeding operations, 15% reduction in cost of labour and 8.6% reduction in total cost of production due to the influence of livestock grazing. Furthermore, analyses show that FFB accounts for the majority (81%) of the revenue in the integration system, while the livestock constitute (15%), Palm Oil Fronds (POF) (3%) and animal dung (0.03%). Although the revenue from the by-products is meager, but an indicator that revenue diversification is feasible to achieve increase in revenue and finally, a net income of RM7431.479/ha/yr was estimated. The production constraints identified in the smallholder livestock-oil palm integration were grouped into technical, economical, ecological and environmental constraints and suggestions were proffered on the management of the constraints with the view to minimize their militating effects for a more efficient and productive system to enhance better the income of the farmers

Analysis of rice production instability in Southeast Asian countries

This study measures the extent of rice production instability and the sources of instability in selected rice producing countries of Southeast Asia. A time series data on rice harvested area, yield and production of five Southeast Asian countries was used to analyze the components of production changes (area, yield and interaction effects) from 1980 to 2010. The production data is categorized into two periods: (i) 1980/81 to 1994/95 and (ii) 1995/96 to 2009/10. The results show a significant increase in rice production in all the countries during the reference period. However, the effect of area and yield to increase production differs from one country to another. It is noted that instability in area, yield and production in countries (except for Malaysia) are positively related. Furthermore, the decomposition analysis indicated that changes in mean yield mainly contribute to mean production in Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam while change in mean area contributed larger in Myanmar. However, changes in area-yield covariance between periods made a negligible contribution to the change in rice production

Factors behind third-party logistics providers readiness towards halal logistics

Halal logistics is an approach to avoid contamination of perishables, raw materials, and food products during distribution activities taking into consideration the need for Halalan toyibban products for consumption by Muslim consumers. The Malaysian Standard for Halal Logistics (MS 2400:2010) provides the guidelines on halal logistics based on the Shariah law, for logistics providers to specialize in transportation, warehousing, and retailing. The requirements for halal logistics involve specifications throughout processing, handling, distribution, storage, display, serving, packaging, and labelling of the products. There are concerns on logistics providers meeting the required standards on halal logistics implementation. This study thereby strives to investigate factors that influence halal logistics implementation among food-based logistics providers. Face-to face interviews were carried out with 156 managerial representatives of logistics companies located in Peninsular Malaysia. Descriptive analysis was used for company profiling, while factor analysis and logistics regression analysis were carried out to determine influential factors to halal logistics implementation among the logistics providers. Support from management, enforcement of Halal Assurance System (HAS), environment controls, employee acceptance, and company vision to change are the factors identified influencing halal logistics implementation among logistics providers

Technical efficiency analysis for Penang trawl fishery, Malaysia: Applying DEA approach.

Abundant fishery resources in Malaysia can be discovered along The Strait of Malacca. Penang is located in the north of Peninsular Malaysia, or, in the upper part of the Strait of Malacca. However, in the past seventeen years, annual landings of Penang trawl fishery had declined almost 23% and fishing effort had also dropped almost 70%. This research examined the score of technical efficiency and the factors causing inefficiency of sampled trawl vessels in Penang. The information of each vessel on landing per trip, number of workers, fishing effort, diesel consumption, vessels capacity and engine horsepower were collected through survey. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was applied to examine trawl vessels efficiency. Results obtained based on sixty-nine selected vessels showed that the score of technical efficiency among vessels varied between 0.123 and 1. The average technical efficiency of the sampled vessels was estimated to be 56.6%. The to bit model used to identify factors causing inefficiency showed that echo sounder was the only factor showing significant positive effect on technical efficiency. Factors of skipper characteristics (family background, education, experience and age of captain) and age of vessels were insignificant. Factors like family background, education and experience of captains however, showed negative signs on technical inefficiency analysis. On the other hand, factors like age of vessels and age of captain showed positive signs on technical inefficiency analysis. This research concluded that echo sounder had become an important factor in increasing technical efficiency scores of fishing vessels, and so to maximize the fish landings

Amalan komunikasi mentor membangunkan psikososial menti

Kajian ini mengukur perhubungan di antara amalan komunikasi mentor dan pembangunan psikososial menti. Data kajian diperolehi daripada mahasiswa Program Sarjana Muda di sebuah universiti penyelidikan di Malaysia, dengan menggunakan kaedah kaji selidik. Analisis model laluan Smart Partial Least Squares (SmartPLS) telah digunakan untuk melakukan pengujian hipotesis dan keputusan ini mengesahkan bahawa amalan komunikasi bersemuka berupaya meningkatkan psikososial menti. Manakala, amalan komunikasi terbuka tidak berupaya meningkatkan psikososial menti di organisasi kajian. Selanjutnya, kajian ini menyediakan perbincangan, implikasi dan kesimpulan turut

A comparative analysis of global Halal certification requirements

The aim of this study is to compare the various Halal certification bodies around the world based on the criteria for Halal certification. As the process of awarding Halal certificates varies among the certification bodies, it is pertinent to identify the differences between these selected certification bodies to gauge the gap existing among them. This study will also identify the position of JAKIM, which is the main Halal certification body in Malaysia, among the other main certification bodies around the world. Nine categories were identified in awarding Halal certification to companies. Comparative analysis was then used to see the differences that exist between these certification bodies. The results of the analysis indicate that, based on the nine categories identified, JAKIM is the strictest body in awarding Halal certification to companies

Resource-use and allocative efficiency of paddy rice production in MADA, Malaysia

The study examined resource-use and allocative efficiency of paddy rice production in the MADA, Malaysia. A total sampling size of 396 rice farmers were selected using a multistage random sampling through a well-structured questionnaire. The independent samples F-tests, Ordinary Least Square analyses techniques, descriptive statistics, Gross margin analysis and Cobb-Douglas production function analysis that combines the conventional neoclassical test of economic and technical efficiencies was employed in the study. Findings revealed that all inputs used were positively significant. Rice production was found to be profitable as farmers realized RM2,054.03 per ha as Gross Margin in the study area. Result of the allocative efficiency of inputs confirmed that rice producers in the area did not attain optimal allocative efficiency, seed input (0.29) had the highest allocative efficiency while fertilizer input (0.06) showed the least allocative efficient input. The findings of the study emphasized the need to improve farm efficiency at all levels. It is therefore, recommend that the rice farmers be encouraged to use their inputs up to the point the values of the marginal products (MVPs) equates their factor prices (i.e. MVPs = PXs)

Profit efficiency among paddy farmers: a Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production function analysis

A multiple regression model based on Stochastic Frontier Profit Function which assumed Cobb-Douglass specification form was estimated using a cross-sectional data obtained from a sample of 397 Paddy households via Multi-stage and simple random sampling techniques. Maximum likelihood estimates of the specified profit model revealed that profit efficiencies of the producers varied between 30.5% and 94.8% with a mean of 73.2% suggesting that an estimated 26.8% of the profit is lost due to a combination of technical and allocative inefficiencies in Paddy production. Results from the technical inefficiency model revealed that credit education, farming experience, extension service, MR219 seed variety, broadcast planting method, machine broadcasting method and herbicides were significant factors influencing profit inefficiency. This shows that profit inefficiency in Paddy production could be shortened significantly with improvement in the level of the above socio-economics characteristics of the sampled farmers

Agility barriers analysis in the Malaysian palm oil industry

In a volatile global marketplace, the implementation of agility is viewed as fundamental key strategic consideration for the survival. In order to achieve competitive advantage and ready to adapt to potential changes, implementation of agility in the palm oil industry is considered to be major challenges due to different obstacles. However, these obstacles can be overcome with the implementation of a proper strategic decision as well as high commitments from all management levels to make changes in day-to-day activities. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the obstacles in implementing agility in the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry (MPOI). The survey was conducted in Peninsular Malaysia with 69 oil palm plantation estates. The mean ranking analysis was used to ascertain the rank of various agile statements for its implementation in the organization. The study revealed that strict budget was the biggest obstacle along with laid back attitude of the employee for implementing agility in the organization. The outcomes of this research provide an invaluable information to all strategic decision makers who desire their organizations to be an agile and be competitive in the market and to sustain in today’s competitive market as well as to maintain its dominant position in the world market

The impact of food labeling on purchasing behavior among Non-Muslim consumers in Klang Valley

The purpose of this study is to validate the impact of food labels among non Muslim Malaysian consumer using an extended theory of planned behavior model (TPB). In so doing, the study assessed the direct and indirect effect of food labeling on consumer intention to purchase or otherwise the food products of interest. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 795 non Muslim consumers in Klang Valley Malaysia. The results of structural equation modeling supported the adequacy of the proposed model. This study contributes to and extends the understanding of the food labeling and purchasing behavior, identifying the rationales for purchasing of food products with labels that contains information such as Halal logo, ingredients and nutritive value