Factors Associated with Non-adoption of Technology by Rubber Small holders
This study argues that information holds the key to decision-making and change processes, and hence technology adoption among smallholders. To determine the levels of technology adoption among smallholders and factors associated with it, a total of 787 smallholders, key informant smallholders and...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Universiti Putra Malaysia Press
1994
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2998/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2998/1/Factors_Associated_with_Non-adoption_of_Technology.pdf |
| Summary: | This study argues that information holds the key to decision-making and change processes, and hence technology
adoption among smallholders. To determine the levels of technology adoption among smallholders and
factors associated with it, a total of 787 smallholders, key informant smallholders and field officers from selected
areas in Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed in groups using the focus group discussion technique. Generally,
technology adoption level among rubber smallholders was relatively low. Several factors accounted for this
finding, among them were: smallholders attitudes towards new technology, financial constraints, physical limitations
(uneconomic holding size and accessibility of holdings), labour shortage, inappropriate technology, land
ownership and weakness in extension service and communication support system. These factors were found not
to act singly but in various combinations which compounded the problem of information flow decision making
and change among smallholders in technology adoption. The constraints faced by the smallholders form negative
forces that act against the adoption of recommended practices. Some of these barriers can be overcome or
minimized with ule provision and implementation of a systematic flow of information from research to extension
and from extension LO smallholders. Information from research to extension should cover 'principle', 'how-to'
information, besides relevant circumferential and human resource development information. Information
from extension to smallholders should focus mainly on 'how-to' and benefits to be accrued from adopting a
technology. |
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