PERBANDINGAN CIRI-CIRI SOSIOEKONOMI PENERIMA INOVASI SISTEM INTENSIFIKASI PADI DAN PROJEK ESTET PADI

Abstract

Rice is a strategic commodity as it is a national staple food in Malaysia. However, Malaysia can only accommodate 70 to 80 percent of domestic needs. Strategies have been carried out by the government to boost rice production in the country include the introduction of innovation among paddy farmers. However, the innovations introduced to the target group in the paddy and rice industry, especially among rice farmers are often faced with the challenge of slow adoption rate despite the proven benefits of innovation. To ensure the innovations introduced coincide with the target group, innovation maker should identify the socioeconomic characteristics of the target group. Therefore, this study aimed to identify socio-economic characteristics of rice farmers who adopt to rice planting management innovation, Paddy Estate Project and SRI technique. Paddy Estate project management is the innovation implemented in the country’s granary areas whereas SRI technique is the paddy innovation management carried on the outside granary area especially in rural area. This study carried out in Paddy Estate Project in Muda area one of the main country’s granary area. This study was also carried out to farmers who apply SRI technique in paddy cultivation area in Peninsular Malaysia which covers the states of Kedah, Selangor, Johor and Kelantan. Based on the findings, there are differences in socio-economic characteristics between groups of farmers who adopt the SRI technique and groups of farmers adopt the Paddy Estate Project.