RANCHERS’ PRACTICES IN ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE SWIFTLET RANCHING IN MALAYSIA

Vaiappuri, S.K.N.1, N.H. Kamarulzaman1*, A.L. Ismail1 and and K.M. Isa2

1, Department of Agribusiness and Information Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia. 2Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia. *[email protected]

Introduction The swiftlet ranching in Malaysia is still in its growth stage, compared to the pioneer producers in . The swiftlet ranching is a relatively new industry in Malaysia as compared to other established and long-standing industries such as rubber, oil palm, oil and gas, timber, financial services and small and medium industries (SMI) manufacturing [2]. The Malaysian swiftlet industry, especially in ranching activity has achieved critical mass during the past ten years. The swiftlet industry in Malaysia started to gain momentum after the Asian Economic Crisis in 1997. The resultant haze and the open burning in Indonesia have led to millions more swiftlet migrating to West Malaysia. At the same time, Malaysia cave swiftlet birds have chosen a better habitat and have changed their ranching from the cave to the birdhouse [3]. In Malaysia, there are three types of species that produced EBN such as White-nest Swiftlet ( fuciphagus), Black-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) and or White-bellied Swiftlet ( esculenta). Swiftlet industry in Malaysia has boosted the economy through robust projects as stated in the Malaysian Economic Transformation Program (ETP). The industry had expanded at high growth rates during the last decades. However, the uncontrolled expansion will subsequently expose the industry into some sustainable production risks. The objective of this study was to measure the swiftlet ranchers’ practice level towards sustainable swiftlet ranching in Malaysia.

Method This study was carried out in Johor, Malaysia. A list of ranchers’ name and contact details were obtained from the Johor Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) 2011 Directory. A total of 136 ranchers was randomly selected as the respondents through stratified sampling method. Structured questionnaires through face-to-face interviews were carried out to collect data from the respondents. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured using Cronbach’s alpha score. The Cronbach’s alpha score for the questionnaire was 0.893. The collected data was analysed using descriptive analysis, practices level analysis and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the significance of relationships. The practices level analysis was calculated based on a calculated score for practices questions. There were 16 questions with three choices of answers (never, seldom and always) related to sustainable swiftlet ranching. The survey identified sustainable ranching statements based on reviews of the empirical literatures and information obtained from experts and industry players.

Results The result in Table 1 revealed that 61.76% of the respondents applied high levels of sustainable practice in their ranching activities, while 38.24% of the respondents still were low levels in practising sustainable practices. The majority of the respondents were able to practice high-level sustainable practices because they had adequate knowledge and favourable attitude towards sustainable swiftlet ranching.

Table 1: Respondent’s Practices Level Level Frequency (n) Percentage (%) High 84 61.76 Low 52 38.24 Total 136 100.0

Farmers who have a favourable attitude towards sustainable agriculture had high motivation to practice sustainable agriculture practices in their agricultural activities [3]. The respondents who were at low-level category implied that they were still not fully practicing sustainable practices in their ranching activities.

Table 2: Summary of ANOVA between Practices Level and Selected Variables Variable Attributes Frequency Mean Std. F- P-value Deviation value ≤ 30 4 2.000 0.000 Age group 31 - 40 14 1.143 0.363 30.463 0.000** (years old) 41 - 50 55 1.327 0.474 51 - 60 49 1.939 0.242 ≥ 61 14 2.000 0.000 Race Malay 3 1.667 0.577 0.626 0.430 Chinese 133 1.436 0.498 Marital status Single 4 1.500 0.577 0.057 0.812 Married 132 1.439 0.498 Primary 27 1.222 0.424 Education Level Secondary 96 1.385 0.489 6.919 0.000** Diploma 10 1.900 0.316 Degree 3 2.000 0.000 Low 52 1.269 0.448 Experience Medium 71 1.493 0.503 8.651 0.000** High 13 1.846 0.376 Yearly ≤ 20 000 74 1.365 0.4847 Income 20 001-40 000 42 1.571 0.5009 2.351 0.099* (RM) ≥ 40 001 20 1.450 0.5104 n = 136. **Significant at 1% level of significance, *Significant at 10% level of significance

Table 2 revealed that age group and education level of the respondent had a significant relationship at the 1 % level of significance with F-value 30.463 and 6.919 respectively. Those who have a high level of education practised sustainable swiftlet ranching activities. The respondent’s level of experience had a significant relationship at the 1 % level of significance with F-value 8.651. Most of the experienced respondents preferred to practice more sustainable practices in their ranching activity. Respondents who were involved in ranching activities for a longer period gained more knowledge that eventually led to a favourable attitude and high level of sustainable practices in swiftlet ranching. The respondent’s yearly income and practices had a significant relationship at the 5 % level of significance with F-value 2.351. The high earning respondents were practising sustainable practises in their ranching activities. Thus income might be one of the elements that motivated them to practise sustainable practises.

Discussion Technological advancement in terms of management or operational procedures will ensure the growth of the industry. Proper law enforcement is needed to make sure the players are in line with rules and regulations. A high level of knowledge augurs well with the rancher’s favourable attitude towards sustainable ranching, which ultimately to lead sustainable practices and towards sustainable swiftlet ranching. Some critical enforcement by the authorities will uplift the level of sustainable practices in the Malaysian Swiftlet Industry.

Acknowledgements The authors wish to extend their gratitude for the funds provided by the Department of Agribusiness and Information Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Invaluable assistance and support from the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) was also gratefully appreciated

1) Gee, H. (2002). Food & the future. Nature, 418(6898), 667-667. 2) Merican, H. (2007). The 2007 Malaysian Swiftlet Farming Industry Report. Retrieved from http://www.smipenang.com/2006SwiftletFarmingReport.html.[Accessed on 10 June 2013]. 3) Mardiastuti, A. (2011). Swiftlet Farming in Indonesia: Opportunity, Challenge, and Sustainability. Paper presented at International Conference of Swiftlet Ranching, University Sultan Zainal Abidin Terengganu, Malaysia. 4) Karami.E., & Mansoorabadi, A. (2008). Sustainable agricultural attitudes and behaviors: a gender analysis of Iranian farmers. Environment, Development and Sustainability 10:883–898.