Farmers Current Agriculture Practices on Paddy Cultivation and Relationship with Work Performance in Iada Batang Lupar, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between agricultural practices as independent factors influencing work performance among paddy farmers in IADA Batang Lupar, Sarawak, Malaysia. Correlational design was use for the study between January 2017 to January 2018. It employs simple randomization and recognized sample size determinant, Krejcie and Morgan Table to select respondents. Self-administered questionnaire use to collect information from respondents. Descriptive, correlation and regression analysis was used to analyzed the data obtained for the study. Demographic profile revealed that the age range of respondents is between 39-59 years and majority are almost old between the ages of 50-59 with low educational level. While, more than half are part-time farmers. Majority had an experience between 40-50 years with a production yield of only 2.0-2.9 tons/hectare. Result on the level of independent factors as plot preparation, planting or transplanting, water source, fertilizer, weeding indicates low level while, pest and disease management and harvesting recorded high. Also, the level of dependent variable work performance indicate high level. Result on the relationship between independent and dependent factor revealed that two independent variable pest and disease management and harvesting revealed a significant relationship at 0.01 and 0.05 level with the dependent variable. While, plot preparation, planting and transplanting, water source, fertilization and weeding are not significant. Regression analysis revealed that pest and disease management and harvesting were significant to work performance with the t-value of 0.000 while others independent variables are not significant with performance since the t-value was more than 0.05. The highest contributing factor (β = 0.463) obtained by harvesting practice. Hence, adjusted R square value is 0.330 this means that pest and disease management activities and harvesting explained 33.0% variance on work performance. It concludes that agricultural practices and harvesting recorded the highest contribution to work performance.