Perceptions on the Challenges of Banana Cultivation and Bio-Based Technology Use Among Malaysian Smallholder Farmers

Nurzatil Sharleeza Mat Jalaluddin () and Rofina Yasmin Othman ()
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Nurzatil Sharleeza Mat Jalaluddin: Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Level 3, Research Management and Innovation Complex, UniversitI Malaya, Jalan Professor Diraja Ungku Aziz, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rofina Yasmin Othman: Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Level 3, Research Management and Innovation Complex, UniversitI Malaya, Jalan Professor Diraja Ungku Aziz, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 25-34

Abstract: Bananas are one of the most commonly grown fruit crops in Malaysia, but local production has declined in recent years. Through site visits and interviews with 74 smallholder banana farmers, this study sought to know the current situation of the local smallholder banana industry, the challenges faced in commercial banana cultivation, and the use of bio-based technologies to address the challenges. The farmers cited increasing production costs, pests and diseases, and yield uncertainties as major challenges to their plantations’ survival. While they have been using farming techniques, including bio-based technologies, to improve fruit yield, the farmers perceived the current technologies as inadequate in mitigating the impacts of frequent disease outbreaks. The interviews also reveal farmers’ misconceptions on the nature of tissue culture technology, reflecting their poor understanding of how tissue culture works, thus, putting banana farms at risk. Overall, this study’s direct engagements with banana farmers show that correct information and access to technology are a rare privilege for smallholders. Therefore, coordinated efforts to substantially increase support for smallholder farmers is paramount.

Keywords: barriers; technological adoption; impact evaluation; sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q12 Q16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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