A Study of Attitude and Motivation among Second Generation FELDA Settlers towards the Palm Oil Industry

Research Grant, 2016

Abstract

Engaging youth in agriculture is an arduous task as many youth are not interested to embark themselves in this industry. Nevertheless, it is a sector that is worth venturing into as new technologies have emerged in the agricultural practices with the advancement of ICT and the increased use of mobile phones in farming as well as other innovations related to this industry.

The rapid development of palm oil industry has called for more expertise to sustain its progress. A younger generation needs to be made aware of the opportunities waiting for them to make them significant partners in this evolving industry. Thus, this study is aimed to examine the attitudes and motivation as well as the factors underlying the lack of interest among the second generation of Felda settlers towards the palm oil industry in Malaysia. Besides, the objective is also to raise their awareness about the nature and future of palm oil industry in Malaysia with the hope to instill interest among Malaysian youths towards employment and a future beyond the plantation that promotes sustainability and family legacy within the industry.

This research will utilize both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Questionnaire will be designed in the collection of data to answer the Research Questions. Besides that, focus group interview will also be conducted to get more information about the attitude and motivation of the subjects. It is hoped that the investigation will reveal some vast and unlimited opportunities to be offered to the FELDA youth, so that they will visualize the potential of agriculture-based businesses, specifically the palm oil industry.

Project Leader

Siti Hamin Stapa (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), sitihami@ukm.edu.my)