Comparative Cost Benefit Analysis of Conventional Farming and Agroecological Farming for Paddy Cultivation in Bachok, Kelantan

Ah Choy Er,Habibah Ahmad,Azima Abdul Manaf

doi:10.18178/ijesd.2021.12.6.1338

Ah Choy Er, Habibah Ahmad + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.18178/ijesd.2021.12.6.1338

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Abstract

In Malaysia, conventional rice farming is the predominant method of rice cultivation with attendant problems like the harmful effects of the utilisation of synthetic pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Thus, conventional rice farming was compared to the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method, a variant of agroecological rice farming, in Kampung Klerek, Bachok District, and Kelantan. It must be noted that the agroecological rice farming method is the farmer’s maiden attempt. Agroecological rice farming is a much more environmentally friendly approach. The aim of this paper is to compare conventional rice farming vis-à-vis agroecological rice farming from a financial perspective. Comparative Cost Benefit Analysis has been adopted to determine which the better alternative is. However, the results go beyond financial consideration as conventional rice farming is chemically driven whereas agroecological rice farming is grounded on environmentalism. The results indicated that agroecological rice farming is a better financial alternative with higher revenue and lower cost of production. The higher revenue is due to higher production yield whereas the lower cost of production is due to contributory factors like lower labour cost, lower seed utilisation and ancillary cost, zero cost for synthetic fertilisers and lower fuel and ancillary cost for machinery despite higher organic fertiliser cost. Thus, on a long-term basis, with the effect of the learning and experience curve, the cost of production can be lowered further. Moreover, the higher rice yield, less seed wastage, utilisation of organic fertilisers, organic pesticides and natural pest control methods are in sync with good environmental practices.

Highlights

Conventional rice farming is the predominant method of rice cultivation in Malaysia
As this study focuses on the two farming methods of agroecological rice farming and conventional rice farming, a comparison would be made and the extraneous factors need to be minimised or negated to make the findings have a high level of accuracy cum validity
In conclusion, agroecological rice farming is a much more viable alternative as the net benefits are higher. It is even more so taking into effect on a long-term basis as the cost of production can be lowered with the learning and experience effect

Summary

Introduction

Conventional rice farming is the predominant method of rice cultivation in Malaysia. Likewise, this farming method is predominant in the eight granary areas, of which Bachok is in the Kemubu granary. This farming method is predominant in the eight granary areas, of which Bachok is in the Kemubu granary These granary areas have a major irrigation infrastructure that allows for multiple cropping. Over the years new farming practices, including mechanisation, were introduced to reduce labour dependency. Manual transplanting of seeds has switched to direct seeding via broadcasting of seeds to wet soil. Improved rice varieties like MRQ76, a fragrant rice, were introduced due to its high yielding and less disease prone characteristics [1].

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