Amin Mahir Abdullah

A comparative analysis of global Halal certification requirements

The aim of this study is to compare the various Halal certification bodies around the world based on the criteria for Halal certification. As the process of awarding Halal certificates varies among the certification bodies, it is pertinent to identify the differences between these selected certification bodies to gauge the gap existing among them. This study will also identify the position of JAKIM, which is the main Halal certification body in Malaysia, among the other main certification bodies around the world. Nine categories were identified in awarding Halal certification to companies. Comparative analysis was then used to see the differences that exist between these certification bodies. The results of the analysis indicate that, based on the nine categories identified, JAKIM is the strictest body in awarding Halal certification to companies.

The relative importance of factors influencing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: a factor approach for Malaysian vegetable farmers

This study develops the understanding of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) by investigating the relative importance of a set of multidimensional factors in the Malaysian vegetable production sector. A factor approach is deployed to identify explanatory indicators within an integrative framework that is synthesized from the theory of interpersonal behavior and the theory of diffusion of innovation. We achieved this by analyzing a logistic regression model for the adoption of six individual SAPs (conservation tillage, intercropping, cover crops/mulches, crop rotation, organic fertilizers/composts, and integrated pest management). The findings indicate that adoption depends on a range of socio-economic, agro-ecological, institutional, informational, and psychological factors, as well as the perceived attributes of SAPs. Fundamental policy understanding of the issue should, therefore, be multidisciplinary. In addition, standardized coefficients reveal that the impact of statistically significant factors on adoption is unequal. In general, the most influential factor is the asymmetric distribution of resources across geographical locations. This is followed by financial capital and a number of factors, including the workforce size, the usefulness of information, Chinese ethnicity, and the perceived relative advantage of SAPs. Guided by this prioritization understanding, future SAPs promotion now has a better opportunity to target the more important areas. Similar research effort should be made to steer sustainable agriculture internationally.

A REVIEW OF PRODUCTION FRONTIER RESEARCH IN AQUACULTURE (2001–2011)

Most research works on the production frontier in aquaculture focus on efficiency measurement using either Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) or Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The studies on productivity growth in aquaculture were limited, perhaps due to lack of time-series data. Nevertheless, total factor productivity analysis (TFP) in fish farms has started gaining popularity in recent years. In addition, the majority of the efficiency studies have centered on technical efficiency analysis but substantial increases in the output levels can be fully realized through improving overall economic efficiency. Therefore, this review suggests that future research should estimate all three efficiency indices (i.e., technical, allocative and economic efficiencies).

A Meta-Analysis of Technical Efficiency in Aquaculture

We compared stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods to calculate mean technical efficiency (MTE) of global aquaculture. A total of 36 published articles on technical efficiency of 55 aquaculture operations were reviewed. SFA yielded lower MTE estimates than DEA. MTE for Asia, Africa, Europe, and the USA was estimated to be 0.64, 0.71, 0.80, and 0.73, respectively, indicating considerable scope for increasing output of aquaculture with the currently available array of inputs and existing technology.

A structured assessment on the perceived attributes of sustainable agricultural practices: a study for the Malaysian vegetable production sector

Individual farmers subjectively perceive the attributes of green agricultural innovations and their subsequent benefits. Qualifying this knowledge is important, but past efforts have largely been unsystematic. This systematic study assesses the structure of perceived attributes of sustainable agricultural practices. Through a survey of Malaysian vegetable farmers, the results of confirmatory factor analysis indicate that the most robust structure consists of four attributes. The four important attributes are relative advantage, compatibility, complexity and trialability. Among them, measures are required to link non-economic benefits to profitability to the attribute of relative advantage. Our work represents a guide to assist change agents to evaluate farmer perceptions at different locations systematically. This structured method will help effectively to design and promote sustainable agriculture and other green agricultural innovations.

Potential of four corn varieties at different harvest stages for tropical silage production in Malaysia

Objective Apart from various climatic differences, corn harvest stage and varieties are two major factors that can influence the yield and quality of corn silage in the tropics. A study was conducted to determine the optimum harvest stage of four corn varieties for silage production in Malaysia. Methods Corn was harvested at four growth stages; silking, milk, dough, and dent stages from four varieties; Sweet Corn hybrid 926, Suwan, breeding test line (BTL) 1 and BTL 2. Using a split plot design, the treatments were then analysed based on the plant growth performance, yield, nutritive and feeding values followed by a financial feasibility study for potential commercialization. Results Significant differences and interactions were detected across the parameters suggesting varying responses among the varieties towards the harvest stages. Sweet Corn was best harvested early in the dough stage due to high dry matter (DM) yield, digestible nutrient, and energy content with low fibre portion. Suwan was recommended to be harvested at the dent stage when it gave the highest DM yield with optimum digestible nutrient and energy content with low acid detergent fibre. BTL 1 and BTL 2 varieties can either be harvested at dough or dent stages as the crude protein, crude fibre, DM yield, DM content, digestible nutrient and energy were not significantly different at either stage. Further financial analysis showed that only Sweet Corn production was not financially feasible while Suwan had the best financial appraisal values among the grain varieties. Conclusion In conclusion, only the grain varieties tested had the potential for silage making according to their optimum harvest stage but Suwan is highly recommended for commercialization as it was the most profitable.

Factors Influencing Consumer’s Intention towards Online Grocery Shopping

Online platform nowadays has started to replace the traditional market and require consumers to change their buying habits and patterns extensively. Thus, the trend of having grocery delivered to the doorstep has been introduced to Malaysian consumers especially who lives in urban area. Previous studies have shown that online groceries are not consistently purchased by the consumers due to several reasons such as inconsistent quality and lack of sensory characteristics. However, there are still number of consumers who continuously shops groceries through online platform. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine factors influencing consumer’s intention to shop groceries online. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaire in the form of online survey with 521 respondents in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive analysis and factor analysis. The findings of the study showed that majority of the online grocery shoppers are female with the age ranged between 26-35 years old. Besides that, results from factor analysis revealed that perceived usefulness, satisfaction, perceived risk, perceived information accessibility and perceived ease of use are among factors that influenced consumer’s intention towards online grocery shopping. Therefore, this study can be used to assist online grocery retailers to formulate effective strategies to gain more consumers’ confidence to make use of online grocery shopping.

Shrimp Trade Competitiveness of Malaysia and Selected ASEAN Countries

This article investigates the level, composition, and sustainability of the trade competitiveness position of Malaysia among some of the world producers of shrimp commodities in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The growth rate in the shrimp balance of trade (BOT) surplus had increased the most in Malaysia whereas Singapore recorded the highest growth rate in the shrimp BOT deficit. The trend of the relative trade advantage indices indicates that, among the ASEAN-5, Malaysia and Thailand maintained trade competitiveness in fresh shrimp while Indonesia remained competitive in exporting preserved shrimp. Further, the analytic hierarchy process exerts that Thailand possesses the highest competitiveness ranking in shrimp. To be as competitive as Thailand, Malaysia needs to develop a target area of concentration for shrimp production. This will help the government to introduce and implement policies to mitigate the alleged coastal destructions and environmental pollutions and to provide transparency in the shrimp supply chains.

Factors Affecting the Development of Long-Term Relationships Among SME Entrepreneurs in the Malaysian Agro-Based Industry

A strategy based on long-term relationships is considered one of the most effective options, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to be competitive and sustainable in the market. There are many benefits that can be obtained from long-term relationships that include efficiency and effectiveness in operations, total cost reduction, better delivery performance, and higher profit. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine factors that influence the development of long-term relationships among SME entrepreneurs in the Malaysian agro-based industry. The data collected from 226 entrepreneurs has revealed 7 important factors that influence the development of long-term relationships of SME entrepreneurs with their preferred buyers. These factors were trust, reputation, quality, satisfaction, power/dependence, relationship specific investments and communication. This result provides a basis for managers to put more effort into developing business relationships in order to create high competitive advantage in the market.