THE PRACTICES AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED CATTLE AND OIL PALM FARMING SYSTEM IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The Malaysian government had encouraged the adoption of integrated cattle and oil palm farming systems (ICOFS) since the year 1998. This is due to large areas of land suitable for ICOFS in Malaysia that can be well utilized. The efforts made in increasing the demand for meat nationwide and growing dependency on imported meat are among the reasons that ICOFS has become significant to be implemented today. Apart from that, Malaysia needs to increase the self-sufficiency level of national meat production to 32.7% by 2020 as stated in the National Agri-Food Policy 2011-2020. Despite this, only a small number of farmers have adopted ICOFS in Malaysia and less is known so far about the farmer's attitudes towards the ICOFS in Malaysia. Methodology: Therefore, this study aimed to explore the current practice as well as factors affecting and constraints to the adoption of ICOFS in Malaysia. Interviews of four selected experts in ICOFS were held to examine the current practice of ICOFS in Malaysia. Main Findings: Results from the interviews and literature review have been cross-compared to develop questionnaire instruments. Then, the survey questionnaire was carried out to 153 adopters and non-adopters of ICOFS in Johor, Malaysia to identify the key factors that influence the adoption of ICOFS. Applications of this study: The study found that information and know-how and availability of skilled labor are the significant factors that encourage farmers to adopt ICOFS. On the other hand, government support and policy constraint and production and on-farm constraint are the significant constraints hindering the adoption of ICOFS. Novelty/Originality of this study: Based on the findings of this study, one of the measures to increase the rate of adoption of ICOFS is by helping the farmers to hire extra labor and to have skills needed. Furthermore, the rate of ICOFS could also be increased by helping the farmers to have better control over weed, pests, and diseases on the farm as well as not interrupting their oil palm production. In addition, it is suggested to provide them with more opportunities for incentives, training, and technical support from the field officers. It is suggested for future research to explore the effect of factors affecting adoption and constraints to adoption on other attitudinal and psychological outcomes such as satisfaction, success, involvement, and degree of use.