Impact of the agricultural technology transfer to the production of independent palm oil smallholders: a review

• Published in: Food Research
• Main Author: Syarifudin S.M.; Zareen Z.
• Format: Review
• Language: English
• Published: Rynnye Lyan Resources 2021
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85124121749&doi=10.26656%2fFR.2017.5%28S4%29.007&partnerID=40&md5=783e35bf3f87542aa99a6c74fc8b435d

Oil palm is the most efficient oil crop that is vital to oil commodity due to its versatility for being a practical raw material in producing a number of commercial products globally. Therefore, the supply of palm oil is believed to increase in order to meet the growing demand of the world population. Malaysia is the second-largest palm oil exporter in South-East Asia after Indonesia with 40% of the total output is contributed by Malaysia’s smallholders. However, reports stated that the yield among smallholder’s plantations is low and eventually will affect the national Gross Domestic Products (GDP). In 2019, Malaysia’s palm oil total GDP was estimated to be 38.24 billion Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). In relation to the issue, low yield among the smallholders is believed to be caused by the lack of application and awareness of current technology available to aid plantation operation. Hence, agricultural technology transfer is the modern agricultural invention to improve oil palm production productivity. A review paper on the agricultural technology transfer was carried out to identify the impact of the technology transfer on palm oil smallholders' production. This approach encompassed the introduction of technology to smallholders, the technology transfer process and technology applications awareness for smallholders. The data was collected through reading on research papers, especially on productivity and engagement of smallholders on the understanding of the technology transfer through the questionnaire. The review concluded that smallholders had practised a good agricultural practice. However, low productivity was caused by the inadequate inputs among the farmers regarding the available technology, crop protection and management. Therefore, technology transfer and technology recommendation is proven to effectively help broaden smallholders’ inputs and knowledge to increase their socio-economic status and plantation productivity. © 2021 The Authors. Published by Rynnye Lyan Resources.