Stochastic Cotton Production Technology and Risk Production Analysis was using Trans log model. The result shows that the variance parameters of sigma square ( and lambda ) are jointly 0.0226 and 2.2003. The lambda value (2.2003) which is greater than zero, is testifying that variation in the observed output from the frontier is due to technical inefficiency and random noise. Likewise, the result reveals that variation in output as explained by technical inefficiency is relatively greater than the deviation in output explained by the pure noise component of the composed error term. The Gamma [ ] is a parameter that express the degree level of inefficiency in the variance parameter, and is estimated to be 0.924 at 1% level of significant. This, in the actual sense, explains that 92.4% of the total variations of the cotton output in the study area are due to technical inefficiency. The results of the output elasticities are all positive, with the exception of labour, which has a negative sign. The positive sign signifies that increase in these variables will increase output while the negative sign means that increase in the variable will decrease the level of output. Sequentially, the output elasticity for seed, fertilizer, agrochemicals and labour are 0.412 percent, 0.243 percent, 0.134 percent and -0.256 respectively. Furthermore, the elasticity result indicated that seed has the highest contribution to cotton production, followed by fertilizer and agrochemicals. On the other hand, labour has higher percentage too but with negative sign, indicating that the farmers in the study area should be watchful in using high labour as it may lead to a decrease of cotton output. The Mean Estimates of Marginal Output Risk results reveals that on average, apart from labour that is risk increasing, other variables that include seed, fertilizer, and agrochemicals, they are risk decreasing variables. These estimated results hint that effective use and proper management of seed, fertilizer, and agrochemicals, unlike labour, can help in reducing output variance. On the other hand, the result for labour, being the risk increases variable. This, hypothetically, indicated that an average risk-averse farmer in the study area is anticipated to employ less labour due to the inputs ability to cause high fluctuation in output, instead, he should go ahead in using seed, fertilizer, and agrochemicals, compare to a risk-neutral farmer that is insensitive to risk, regardless of whether it is high or low risk, to reduce output volatility.

This study investigates production risk and technical inefficiency as two possible sources of the production variability that characterized Malaysian Paddy Production.Data from a total of 397 Paddy farms randomly sampled from Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) were used for the analysis.The study used a trans-log stochastic frontier production function model with flexible risk specification.The empirical estimates revealed that, mean output is positively influenced by seed, fertilizer, agrochemicals and labour.Fertilizer and agrochemicals are found to be risk-reducing inputs, while seed and labour are revealed to be risk-increasing inputs.This implies that an average risk-averse producer is expected to use more of fertilizer and agrochemicals and less of seed and labour compared to risk-neutral producer in the study area.It was also revealed that extension visit, credit access, MR219 seed variety, MR220CL2 seed variety, method of broadcasting and harvesting technology significantly reduces the technical inefficiency of producers.Average technical efficiency of Paddy farms was found to be 83.6 percent indicating that a potential exist for improving paddy output in the study area.

This study aimed to estimate the technical efficiency among pepper (Piper nigrum. L) farmers in Sarawak, Malaysia, using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). SFA involves a one-step process that can estimate technical inefficacy factors simultaneously with the production frontier. 678 pepper farmers were involved in this study, and the data were collected from 2012 to 2013. The mean score for technical efficiency was 0.518, indicating that pepper farmers were not efficient. However, the inefficiency model showed that education level, membership in farmers’ association, full-time as a pepper farmer, attending courses and visiting sample farms were factors that significantly improved inefficiency. The major problem of pepper farming in Sarawak is poor agricultural practices where farmers do not fully utilize the available agricultural inputs to produce maximum output. Based on the findings, farmers must improve their knowledge and skills in pepper farming through agronomic education.

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to identify the magnitude of various risk behaviours related to Hepatitis B (HepB) and to characterize the relationship between socio-demographic determinants and these risk factors among adults in Malaysia.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in nine districts in the state of Selangor in 2016. A two-stage cluster sampling design was used and adults aged 20 years or above who were living in the selected living quarters were interviewed face-to-face. A multivariable linear regression model analysed the association between sociodemographic predictors and eleven outcomes (different HepB risk behaviours).ResultsA total of 728 respondents were included in the final analysis. Sharing nail cutters, body-piercing, and alcohol use were the most prevalent risk behaviours among respondents. Males, married couples, adult respondents (between 27 and 40 years old), and individuals with low educational attainment were more likely to be exposed to HepB risk behaviours.ConclusionHepB risk behaviours are relatively high among Malaysians and particularly among certain groups. Therefore, specific programs such as forums, seminars and continuous education on preventive measures for HepB should be tailored to these groups. These programs could be conducted by government authorities such as the Ministry of Women, Family and Community of Malaysia.

Hepatitis B (HB) is an upcoming health issue in Malaysia. Even though the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) for HB vaccination implemented by the Malaysia government in 1989, individuals born before 1989 were not covered under the EPI and should immunised against the HB virus. Examining the Malaysians’ perception of vaccination is very important in order to determine their behaviour regarding HB vaccination. Most of the studies only gave priority to analysing this issue from an occupational risk perspective, consumers’ perceptions of the HB vaccination are still lacking. This study is aimed at assessing the validity and reliability of the Malay version of the perception questionnaire used for Malaysian households. A pilot study involving 300 respondents was conducted in six districts in the Selangor area. Factor analysis constructed four components: perceived sustainability, perceived severity, perceived benefit and perceived barriers loaded on the corresponding component with factor loading of more than 0.5. Principal component analysis of the finalised 13 items explained the instrument of the variance, which was 59.7% in total, 20.3%, 14.5%, 12.5% and 12.4% explained by the four constructs. The Cronbach alpha for the items instruments is 0.5 to 0.8 which shows that moderate internal consistency exists and demonstrates reliability of the questionnaire. The frequency of the four constructs shows that most of the respondents worry about getting infected with HBV, the perceived severity level is high among respondents, they perceived benefit from getting an HB vaccination and perceived low barriers to getting the HB vaccination.

Purpose This study aims to incorporate visitors’ preferences for sustainable development into the policy framework of Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sabah, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A stated preference technique known as choice experiment (CE) method is used in this study. Four management attributes, namely, information provision (IP), protection level (PL), guided tour (GT) and entrance fee (FEE), were identified as the most relevant aspects of the RDC in Sabah. Two econometrics models which are conditional logit and random parameter logit were estimated to achieve the purpose of the study. Findings This study finds that visitors support the proposed development of RDC. The alteration of protection level (i.e. improvement of “PL” attribute) is the most concerning matter among visitors. Since the random parameter logit model revealed that PL is specified as random, the individual heterogeneity exists for PL. Practical implications The current issues in ecotourism were studied and integrated into the methodology. A unique and comprehensive policy structure was developed, and enables to respond with any contemporary issues linked to protected areas (PA) without neglecting the natural and cultural endowments. Originality/value This study presents an in-depth understanding of visitors’ preferences in the ecotourism industry and used CE as a mechanism tool to explore visitors’ preferences. This study incorporates the conceptualisation of visitors’ preferences and sustainable tourism development into the PA framework structure.

By using the regional input-output approach, this paper attempts to analyse the contribution of the various sectors in West Malaysia to economic growth as well as the regional development planning. Our linkage effects strongly suggest that there is a strong argument to believe that a further developed West Malaysia with greater facilities and investment for the petroleum products; other manufacturing; and wholesale and retail trade sectors will make it an increasingly sources of growth in the West Malaysia. Moreover, the empirical results also reveal that petroleum products; electronics and non-electronics; motor vehicles and other transport; and other manufacturing; were among the sectors with high multiplier values in West Malaysia compared to other sectors.

To encourage recycling in Malaysian households, a waste separation at source programme was implemented that made it mandatory for households to sort their waste into different categories before leaving it out for collection. Penalties designed to act as a deterrent are imposed on households that fail to sort their waste appropriately. But does this deterrence motivate compliance with the programme directives? This study employs the deterrence theory to investigate if deterrence alone is sufficient to motivate households to actively participate in recycling. A total of 866 questionnaires were administered in person in households in Putrajaya and Melaka. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results of the structural model reveal that just 25% of the variance in compliance is explained by the severity of the sanction, and the perceived certainty of penalty imposed. Perceived severity of sanction (β = 0.149, p = 0.012) and perceived certainty of sanction (β = 0.383, p = 0.000) were found to contribute significantly to compliance behaviour to the programme directives. However, deterrence alone cannot motivate household participation in waste separation at source because it only explains 25% of compliance behaviour. The present study provides information that could allow policymakers to understand recycling habits better and implement more effective compliance strategies.

Despite concerted efforts by the Malaysian government over the years to promote recycling through various campaigns, little has been achieved due to poor participation of the public. As an incentive to make recycling a habit among Malaysians, the Malaysian government implemented the waste separation at source programme which makes it mandatory for waste to be sorted into different categories prior to disposal. This paper assesses the performance of household recycling activities prior to and after the implementation of the separation at source programme among households in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The study also to assess the respondents’ awareness and utilization of available drop-off centres recycling facilities. A Face-to-face survey was employed to collect data from 431 randomly selected households in Putrajaya. The study found considerable and statistically significant improvement in waste separation activities of the households after the implementation of the separation at source programme. Meanwhile, those who fail to separate their waste gave reasons such as too busy, no time, not interest, lack of enforcement and lack of appropriate facilities. In terms of awareness and utilization of drop-off centres, a considerable number of respondents indicated being aware of available drop-off centre (86%), but only an insignificant proportion of the respondent utilized the facilities. Fruitful recycling policy recommendations based on the finding were suggested.

One distinct change in Malaysians’ food consumption behavior has been the preference towards meat products. The entire agri-food industry is impacted by changes in food consumption behaviors. This study attempts to provide a better understanding of meat consumption behaviors, by estimating income and price elasticities in Malaysia. Expenditure and price elasticities are estimated by Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model in the first stage, followed by estimation of Engel function in the second stage in order to obtain the estimates of income elasticities for the meat products using Household Expenditure Survey 2004/05 data. The estimated positive and inelastic income elasticities indicate that all meat products are normal and necessity goods, except other meats. The estimates of the own-price elasticities of demand for all the meat products are greater than unity. This study shows that there would be increasing demand for major meat products among Malaysians in the future.

BACKGROUND:In Malaysia, one million individuals are estimated to be infected with the hepatitis B virus. A vaccine for infants has been compulsory since 1989, whereas those born before 1989 need to spend their own money to be vaccinated in private clinics or hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate and ascertain the determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for adult hepatitis B vaccine in Selangor, Malaysia. METHODS:In 2016, 728 households were selected through a stratified, two stage cluster sample and interviewed. Willingness to pay for hepatitis B vaccine was estimated using the Contingent Valuation Method, and factors affecting WTP were modelled with logit regression. RESULTS:We found that 273 (37.5%) of the households were willing to pay for hepatitis B vaccination. The mean and median of WTP was estimated at Ringgit Malaysia (RM)303 (approximately US$73) for the three dose series. The estimated WTP was significantly greater in those with higher levels of education, among Malays and Chinese (compared to others, predominantly Indians), and for those with greater perceived susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection. Other factors-perceived severity, barriers, benefits and cues to action-were not significantly associated with WTP for adult hepatitis B vaccination. CONCLUSION:Additional resources are needed to cover the households that are not willing to pay for hepatitis B vaccination. More awareness (particularly in regards to hepatitis B virus susceptibility) could change the national perception towards self-paid hepatitis B virus vaccination and increase hepatitis B vaccine coverage.

In South Sumatra, Indonesia, the productivity of smallholders? rubber is lower than the productivity of private and government estates. The productivity of Indonesian smallholders? rubber can be enhanced through intensification or technology improvement. The main objective of this study is to estimate the technical efficiency level and technical inefficiency effect model of smallholder?s rubber in South Sumatra. A survey was conducted from November 2016 to March 2017 in 11 districts in the South Sumatra Province. 384 rubber farmers were selected using a combination of purposive, multi-stage and random sampling techniques. This study employed a non-parametric approach (Two-stage DEA) using cross-sectional data to understand the rubber production process. The findings showed that the mean technical efficiency of the sampled farms under the VRS DEA was estimated at 0.80. However, the mean technical efficiency was still less than 0.82, indicating that on average, the sampled farms were not technically efficient. Tobit regression results showed that all of the determinants have the expected signs (negative) in relation to technical inefficiency, thus implying that these factors increase technical efficiency as expected. However, only two of the determinants, farming experience and tapping system were statistically significant to the level of technical efficiency.

The measuring of technical efficiency for cotton farms can be invaluable in estimating optimum farming practices and in identifying premeditated options for the farmers. Therefore, this paper investigates the technical efficiency of sampled cotton farmers in Northeast zone of Nigeria, using a Stochastic frontier production function (SFA), constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) of outputoriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Data were obtained from 349 cotton farmers using a structured questionnaire interviews. The estimates of technical efficiency based on these two aforementioned frontier methods were compared. While efficiency scores for cotton farmers differed between the SFA and the DEA models, the mean efficiency scores are fairly low for the CRS DEA model compared with the VRS DEA and SFA approaches. The mean efficiency measure (0.91) obtained from the stochastic frontier was also lower than the calculated VRS DEA (0.93) but higher than the CRS DEA (0.88). This study suggests that the role of adopting high yield variety of improved cotton seeds not only reduces inefficiency but also increases the mutual effect of inputs on the output variance, whereas technical efficiency enhances the variability of cotton production in the study area. Contribution/ Originality:The determination of technical efficiency for cotton farms can be invaluable in estimating optimum farming practices and in identifying strategic options for the farmers. Therefore, this paper is to measure the technical efficiency of cotton farmers using stochastic frontier(SFA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA), using Northeast zone in Nigeria as a case study. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 20-04-2019 Date of acceptance: 04-05-2019 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BackgroundMalaysia has a comprehensive, publicly-funded immunization program for hepatitis B (HepB) among infants, but adults must pay for the vaccine. The number of HepB carriers among adults is expected to increase in the future; therefore, we examined the impact of five constructs (cues to action, perceived barriers, perceived benefit, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility) on adults' willingness to pay (WTP) for HepB vaccine; secondarily, we examined the association between perceived barriers and perceived benefits.MethodsAdults were selected through a stratified, two-stage cluster community sample in Selangor, Malaysia. The reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the measurement model were assessed before implementing a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the significance of the structural paths.ResultsA total of 728 participants were enrolled. The five constructs all showed adequate internal reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. There was a significant, positive relationship to WTP from constructs (perceived barriers [Path coefficient (β) = 0.082, P = 0.036], perceived susceptibility [β = 0.214, P<0.001], and cues to action [β = 0.166, P<0.001]), and the model all together accounted for 8.8% of the variation in WTP. There was a significant, negative relationship between perceived barriers and perceived benefit [β = -0.261, P<0.001], which accounted for 6.8% of variation in perceived benefit.ConclusionsPolicy and programs should be targeted that can modify individuals' thoughts about disease risk, their obstacles in obtaining the preventive action, and their readiness to obtain a vaccine. Such programs include educational materials about disease risk and clinic visits that can pair HepB screening and vaccination.

Information is key in reducing the uncertainties of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs). The objective of this study was to improve the understanding of the relationship between utilized informational sources and other key identified factors affecting Malaysian vegetable producers' choices. The findings of a multivariate probit model suggest that information sources are complementary. The choices for these sources are influenced by heterogeneity in access to credit, social network (member of farmers association), and farm settings (distance from farm to market, resource depletion issues, and geographical regions). Future promotion of SAPs should be delivered through the provision of quality content disseminated through the preferred information sources, which target potential users.

Nigeria‘s northern region is geographicallygood for agrarian occupation, maize is the major staple cropproduced by farmers‘in the region, but farmers‘ lack proper knowledge on how to define amongst the inputs that are either risk increasing orhaveinefficiency effects on the production. Using stochastic frontier analysis model to estimate the effects of input inthe production, risk and inefficiency were investigated using the mean estimate in stochastic frontier models that were recently developed and available in some computer programmes. The resultis of importance for empirical reason when applied to northern Nigeria maize farmers:The most remarkableresult is that, stochastic mean estimate indicates the presence of both risk and inefficiency in the production, though lambda estimate shows that the effect is largely caused due to inefficiency in the production while estimation of gamma expressed the exact percentages of the inefficiency in the production for the study region.

The concept of halal products or foods is now gaining a worldwide discussion due to its recognition as an alternative benchmark for safety, hygiene and quality assurance of what we consume or drink daily. For a moslem consumer, halal foods and drinks means that the products has met the requirements laid down by the Shariah law. It represents the symbol of hygiene, quality and safety product when produced strictly under the Holistic Halal Assurance Management System. It is expected with halal certification to ensure the halal of food consumed by moslem in Indonesia could increase the sharia and economic values for the moslem in Indonesia. Indonesia is a huge market for halal product, and has just legalized regulation on halal product guarantee. The recent dynamics urge the importance of knowledge of consumer’s behavior on halal product. This study is aimed to explore an economic and sharia values of moslem awareness in Indonesia with a pilot project in Semarang City. The standard of halal used are defined from the points of: (1) input or material come from; (2) how to get the input; (3) how to process the input; (4) how to store the input; (5) how to transportage the input; and (6) how to package and serve the input. Mixed-method of quantitative and qualitative had been invoked to analyse the data.The results indicated that the level of awarness for consuming the halal food are vary among the moslem community by her/ his income- and sharia-stratum as perceived by them. It is hardly difficult to aware people of A-B-G-C accordingly for halal food in such high intense of diversity in community in short-term. Of course, a lot of efforts and strong committment among the stakeholders is indeed needed to ensure the halal food consumed by moslem in Indonesia.

This study was to analyse the visitors’ motives of visiting Bako National Park. A total of 564 visitors were interviewed. Varimax rotation method in factor analysis was employed to gain information from visitors on their behaviour reflecting their motives for ecotourism activities in the national park. The results showed that visitors visit a national park for four factors: challenge excursion, social trip, nature tour and getaway outing. This result may help the management authority to reposition national park attributes without neglecting the objectives of the national park existence.

This study employed a choice experiment (CE) technique to estimate the households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved solid waste collection services (SWC) in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. A multinomial logit (MNL) model was developed for deriving the households’ preferences of SWC service attributes and their marginal value on the non-market values among households. The trade-off between five different SWC service attributes revealed that improvement in waste collection frequency (CF) is the most preferred service attribute. The total value for SWC services is estimated at ₦3341 76935.44 ($1696329.6215). This indicates households are willing to pay for improved SWC services to ensure environmental sustainability. Our results reported here have imperative policy implications for effective SWC services in minimising environmental degradation via pollution and to safeguards public health against filthy environmentally related public health threats.

The palm oil refinery industry continued to rise as Malaysia’s key trade, following the nation’s transitional economy in the early 1970s. Known as the workhorse of its industry, palm oil refinery began to boom with the early establishment of refineries in several states throughout east and west Malaysia. However, in recent years, it was reported that the establishment of licensed refineries in the country recorded a rise in numbers, and yet the companies did not step up into the market as planned. The issue of industrial competitiveness was put into question by the decreasing rate of new entrants. In this study, the logit model was adopted to identify entry-related factors in the industry. The prescribed period of study was set between 2005 and 2013, involving 52 firms in operation in the Malaysian palm oil refining industry, where their annual reports were obtained from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM). The empirical results implied that profit, distribution, marketing intensity, coupled with minimum efficient scale and growth were all significant and carried the correct coefficient signs.