Perception of smallholders in Felda scheme toward the implementation of mechanization in oil palm plantation in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia

This research has been done at the oil palm plantation in Kelantan of smallholders under the scheme of FELDA Sdn Bhd area to analyze the practices in oil palm plantation and to study the problematic factors towards the implementation of mechanization in oil palm plantation. This research conducted by using questionnaire instrument method to study about the perceptions of smallholders towards the implementation of mechanization in oil palm plantation. Research done and data gathered shows that majority of the smallholders were comfortable as they preferred manual oriented and semi-manual oriented practices in their oil palm plantation rather than fully-mechanized oriented practices in Kelantan. However, mechanization operation must be worked on continuously and holistically to attract more local workers in order to increase the farm productivity and restricting the
requirement of foreign labors in the oil palm sectors in Kelantan. Holistic mechanization practices could preserves and conserves the sustainability of oil palm industry in Malaysia. All participants and authorities should play their roles, to promote the implementation of mechanization in their oil palm farm.