Kualiti Hidup Peserta Program Ladang Kontrak di Bawah Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan

The Quality of Life among Contract Farming Programme Participants under Local Farmers Association

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the contribution of the Local Farmers Association (PPK) and the level of participation of PPK participants in the contract farming program in Selangor Darul Ehsan. The framework of the study is based on two main theories namely the combination of Pretty typology and the Arnstein model used to examine the level of engagement of contract farming program participants and its contributions in contract farming. Convenience sampling is selected in the implementation of this study involving 108 out of 145 total program participants contract farm under Local Farmers Association. However, out of 108 questionnaires distributed only 98 responses were received. The findings show that PPK under the contract farming program was able to improve the quality of life of participants in terms of income and distribution, education, health and family with the contribution of Local Farmers Association identified within the range of 82.7 to 91.8 percent. Meanwhile, the level of PPK participant’s participation under the contract farming program can be said at the grassroots level of engagement and is quite encouraging. High-level engagements are functional participation, interactive participation and self-mobilisation. These are in line with the Citizen Power in Arnstein model where participants have full authority over engagement. Furthermore, by understanding the contribution of PPK and the level of participation of PPK participants in the study area, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, as well as the departments/agencies under it may make improvements in ensuring the implementation of this Contract Farming Program really achieves targets and target groups.