Developing Interactive MADA Paddy Estate Decision Making System: Way Forward to Increase Rice Self-Sufficiency Level in Malaysia (S/O 14365)

• Main Authors: Applanaidu, Shri Dewi, Zainal Abidin, Norhaslinda, Soon, Jan Jan, Ali, Jamal
• Format: Monograph
• Language: English
• Published: UUM 2023
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory
• Online Access: https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/30574/1/14365.pdf; https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/30574/

Food security issues are gaining attention mainly due to the population growth, climate change, Covid-19 pandemic, conflict Russia-Ukraine and also the increase in input prices. Malaysia is experiencing inadequate rice supply, although, the amount of paddy production from Paddy Estates at Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) in Malaysia increases annually. The paddy productivity especially at MADA Paddy Estates failed to reach the potential target of 10 mt/ha. Most studies conducted by the MADA uses the time series model based on regression analysis to set targets or guides for paddy production. This method is unable to make dynamic and holistic analysis of paddy production system since many important variables might have to be discarded due to statistical constraints. To overcome the problem, a simulation method known as System Dynamics (SD) has been applied in this study to support the evaluation of various soft variables in the model. Among the factors affecting the paddy productivity components are management systems, inputs, irrigation system, mechanization and technology, weather, farmers’ profiles (sociodemographic factors), environmental, biotic and abiotic. This model able to provide a holistic view on the factors effecting the paddy productivity and eventually the self-sufficiency level (SSL). The developed SD model able to help MADA in decision-making to identify and find solutions to problems related to increase paddy productivity and reaching the targeted productivity which is 10 MT/ha and eventually increase the Malaysia’s SSL.