UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EXTENSION WORKERS' COMPETENCIES AND JOB PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING

THE GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES PROGRAMME IN MALAYSIA

NEDA TIRAIEYARIE

FPP 2009 10

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EXTENSION WORKERS' COMPETENCIES AND JOB PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE GOOD

AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES PROGRAMME IN MALAYSIA

By

NEDA TIRAIEY ARIE

Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

JUNE 2009

Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EXTENSION WORKERS' COMPETENCIES AND JOB PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE GOOD

AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES PROGRAMME IN MALAYSIA

By

NEDA TIRAIEYARI

JUNE 2009

Chairman: Khairuddin Idris, PhD

Faculty: Educational Studies

This study sought to determine extension workers' competencies that explain job

performance in the case of the Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) Scheme at the

Department of Agriculture, Malaysia. Specifically, the study determined extension

workers' competency levels in clients' capacity development, SALM Standards, social

skills and technology transfer process as independent variables. The study also

determined the level of extension workers' job performance as a dependent variable.

The study employed stratified random sampling technique. Samples are chosen using a

proportional sample allocation. The sample consisted of 2 1 0 extension workers from the

Department of Agriculture in four states of Malaysia, namely Perak, Negeri Sembilan,

11

Kelantan and 10hor. Data were collected using a self administered questionnaire. The

data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple

regression analysis.

Results indicated that more than half of extension workers rated their level of job

performance as high. A majority of respondents also rated their competency on

leadership development, problem solving and decision making development, social

skills, and technology transfer process skills as high. More than half of the respondents

indicated high ratings for cultural and SALM program competencies. The finding

supported the positive relationship between all competencies and job performance.

However, only four competencies were significant in explaining job performance of

extension workers. These are competencies on program evaluation, culture of clients,

SALM program and social.

This study is important as it contributes to the Interdependence Model of Extension by

confirming competencies that extension workers need to have in both technical and

human development. The findings would also assist policy makers and administrators in

increasing the performance of extension workers. The competencies that have been

identified in this study can be incorporated into both the pre-service and in-service

training of extension workers.

iv

Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan Kepada Senat University Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Doctor Falsafah

PERHUBUNGAN ANTARA KOMPETENSI PEKERJA PENGEMBANGAN DAN PRESTASI KERJA DALAM PELAKSANAAN SKIM AMALAN LADANG

BAlK DI MALAYSIA

Pengerusi:

Fakulti:

Oleh

NEDA TlRAIE YARI

Khairuddin Idris, PhD

Pengajian Pendidikan

JUNE 2009

Kajian ini bertujuan menentukan kecekapan pekerja pengembangan yang dapat

menerangkan prestasi keIja mengenai Skim Amalan Baik (SALM) di labatan Pertanian

Malaysia. Secara khusus, kaj ian ini menentukan tahap kecekapan pekerja pengembangan

berkenaan pembangunan daya peladang, standard SALM, kemahiran sosial dan proses

pemindahan teknologi. Kajian juga menentukan tahap prestasi keIja pekeIja

pengembangan sebagai angkubah bersandar.

Kajian menggunakan teknik persampelan rawak berstrata. Sampel dipilih secara

pembahagian sampel serata. Persampelan terdiri daripada 2 1 0 orang pekerja

pengembangan dari labatan Pertanian di empat negeri di Malaysia iaitu, Perak, Negeri

v

Sembilan, Kelantan dan lohor. Data telah dikumpul melalui borang soal selidik isi

sendiri. Data dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif, korelasi Pearson dan anali sis

regresi pelbagai.

Basil kajian menunjukkan lebih dari separuh pekeIja pengembangan menyatakan

prestasi kerja mereka adalah tinggi. Sebilangan besar responden juga menyatakan

kecekapan mereka dalam pembangunan kepimpinan, pembangunan penyelesaian

masalah dan membuat keputusan, dan proses pemindahan teknologi juga tinggi. Lebih

separuh daripada responden juga menunjukkan tahap kecekapan yang tinggi berkenaan

budaya pelanggan dan Skim SALM. Penemuan kajian menyokong perkaitan positif

dalam semua kecekapan dan prestasi kerja. Kecekapan tersebut ialah penilaian program,

budaya pelanggan, Skim SALM dan sosial .

Kajian ini penting kerana ia menyumbang kepada Model Saling Pergantungan

Pengembangan dengan mengesahkan kedua dua kompetensi teknikal dan pembangunan

manusia yang diperlukan oleh pekeIja pengembangan. Penemuan kajian juga dapat

membantu pembentuk polisi serta pentadbir dalam meningkatkan prestasi pekerja

pengembangan. Kecekapan yang telah dikenalpasti dalam kajian ini juga boleh

dimuatkan dalam latihan pra-keIja dan dalam keIja pekerja pengembangan.

VI

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the first place I would like to praise God for whatever gifts He's given to me. This

research would not have been possible without the support of many people. For most I

would like to thank members who serve on my committee. I would like to express my

deepest appreciation to Dr. Khairuddin Idris for his academic advice, supervision and

friendly helps throughout this process in different ways. His support was consistent from

start to finish. l owe my most sincere gratitude to Professor Azimi Hamzah, who helped

and supported me during data collection in Malaysia. I have also benefited by advise and

guidance from him in the filed of agricultural extension and education. Special thanks go

to my other committee member Associate Professor Dr. Jegak Uli for his valuable

advice and recommendations in this research. His guidance and help in statistic and data

analysis were greatly appreciated.

Many thanks go to the Department of Agriculture in Malaysia for their cooperation and

approval letter for this research. Thanks to personnel of the Department of Agriculture

for their willingness to provide required information.

Lastly, and most importantly, I wish to thank my parents for their generous and constant

support throughout my life especially during my academic and professional goals. This

dissertation was simply impossible without their help. I am indebted to my father for all

his sacrifices. This thesis dedicated to my parents who played a significant role in my

life.

Vll

I certify that a Thesis Examination Committee has met on I July 2009 to conduct the final examination of Neda Tiraieyari on her thesis entitled "Relationships Between Extension Workers' Competencies and Job Performance in Implementing the Good Agricultural Practices Programme in Malaysia" in accordance with the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 and the Constitution of the Universiti Putra Malaysia [P.U.(A) 106] 15 March 1998. The Committee recommends that the student be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy.

Members of the Thesis Examination Committee were as follows:

Md. Salleh Hj Hassan, PhD Professor Institute of Social Science Studies University Putra Malaysia (Chairman)

Aminah ahmad, PhD Professor Faculty of Educational Studies University Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner)

Azizan Asmuni, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Educational Studies University Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner)

Peter Songan, PhD Professor Universiti Malaysia Sarawak 9400 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak,Malaysia External Examiner

BUJANG BI KIM HUAT, PhD Professor and eputy Dean School of Gra uate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date: 27 August 2009

vii'

This thesis was submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy_ The members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows:

Khairuddin Idris, PhD Lecture Faculty of Educational Studies University Putra Malaysia (Chairman)

Azimi Hamzah, PhD Professor Faculty of Educational Studies University Putra Malaysia (Member)

Jegak VIi, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Educational Studies University Putra Malaysia (Member)

HASANAH MOH .GHAZALI, PhD Professor and Dean School of Graduate Studies University Putra Malaysia

IX

Date: 1 1 SEP 2009

DECLARATION

I declare that the thesis is my original work except for quotation and citation which have

been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously, and is not

concurrently, submitted for any other degree at University Putra Malaysia or at any other

institution.

x

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ABSTRAK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPROVAL

Page ii iv vi vii ix xiv xv xvi

DE CLARA TION LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGUERS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CHAPTER

I INTRODUCTION Background of the Study

Agriculture in Malaysia Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Importance of extension education Extension models

1 1 4 8 9

The current model of extension in Malaysia 1 4 The importance o f job performance i n extension education 1 5 Historical background to agricultural extension education 1 6 and services in Malaysia

Problem Statement 1 8 Objective of the Study 20 Research Hypotheses 2 1 Significance of the Study 22 Scope and limitation of the study 24 Assumption of the study 26 Definition of terms 26

II LITRA TURE REVIEW Concept and practices of extension

The concept of extension Principles of extension The importance of extension Extension policy Extension goals The role of extension workers

Job Performance The concept of job performance Performance theories

Xl

29 29 3 1 32 32 33 35 38 39 4 1

Performance measurement 42 Model of job performance 42

The concept of competency 48 Competency needed by extension workers 49 Relationships between competencies and job performance 53

Relationship between leadership development 54 competency and job performance

Leadership concept 54 Leadership development 56 Leadership development in extension 59

Relationship between decision making and problem 61 solving development competency and job performance

Relationship between technical competency and job 63 performance

Technical Competency 63

Relationship between social competency and job 65 Performances

Process of technology transfer 68 Relationship between cultural competency and job 70 performance

The concept of culture 70

Program development competency and job performance 73 program development 73 Relationship between program planning competency and 76

job performance Planning extension program 76

Relationship between program implementation 77 competency and job performance

Program implementation 77

Relationship between program evaluations competency 78 and job performance

program evaluation 78

Relationship between extension teaching methods 80 competency and job performance

Summary 84

III RESERCH METHODOLOGY Introduction Research design Research framework

Xll

86 86 87

Target population Sample size

89 89 90 92 92 94 99 99 1 03 1 03

Sampling method and procedure Instrument and Measurement

Developing the instrument Measurement of the variables Response Scale

Validity and Reliability of the instrument Data collection procedures Data analysis

IV FINDING AND DISCUSSION Profile of Respondents 1 06 Descriptive statistic of dependent and independent variables 1 08

Level of dependent variable 1 1 0 Level of independent variables 1 13

Level of competency of extension workers 1 13 on dealership development

Level of competency of extension workers 1 14 on problem solving Idecision making development

Level of competency of extension workers 1 1 5 on SALM certificate program

Level of competency of extensionists on 1 1 5 social skills

Level of competency of extension workers 1 1 6 on culture of the clients

Level of competency of extension workers on 1 1 6 program planning

Level of competency of extension workers on 1 17 program implementation

Level of competency of extension workers 1 1 8 on program evaluation

Level of competency of extension workers on 1 1 8 extension teaching methods

Relationship between competencies and job performance 1 2 1

Predictors of extension workers' job performance 1 30

XlIl

Summary

V SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

136

Summary 1 37 Conclusion 1 40 Implications 1 44

Theoretical implications 1 44 Practical implications 1 45 Policy implications 1 46

Recommendation 1 47 Recommendation for DOA 1 47 Recommendation for further research 1 49

BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDICES BIODATA OF THE STUDENT

XIV

1 52 1 7 1 1 9 1

LIST OF TABELS

Table Page

3 . 1 Distribution of extension workers in eleven states of Malaysia 89

3 .2 Reliability Statistics (Cronbach' s Alpha) for each variable 1 02

3 .3 Reliability Statistics (Cronbach's Alpha) for each dimension 1 02

of job performance

3 .4 Range for interpreting the correlation coefficients 105

4.5 Demographic profile of the respondents 1 08

4.6 Descriptive statistic for independent variables and dependent 1 09

variables

4.7 Descriptive statistic for 1 1 dimensions of job performance 1 1 1

4.8 Pearson correlation coefficients of the independent variables and 1 23

job performance

4 .9 Estimates of coefficients for the model 1 33

xv

Figure

1 . 1

LIST OF FIGURES

Interdependence model of extension (TOT and HRD)

Page

1 3

1 .2 Agricultural extension in Malaysia (model of technology transfer 1 4

3 .3 Research framework showing the relationship between selected 88

independent variables and dependent variable.

XVI

LIST OF ABBRIV AlATION

FAO Food and Agricultural Organization

HRD Human Resource Development

T&V Training and Visit Extension System

EDP Exploratory Data Analysis

TOT Transfer of Technology

SPSS Statistical Package for Social Science

SALM Skim Amalan Ladang Baik Malaysia

GAP Good Agricultural Practice

DOA Department of Agriculture

FOs Farmer organizations

NAP3 Third National Agricultural Policy

II Technical innovation

LD Leadership Development

XVll

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This study is an attempt to describe and detennine the relationship between different

areas of competencies and job perfonnance in relation to the Good Agricultural Practice

(GAP) among Malaysian extension workers at the Department of Agriculture (DOA).

This chapter contains eight sub topics sections: background of the study, statement of

the problem, objective of the study, significance of the study, research hypothesis, scope

and limitations, assumption of the study and definitions of tenns.

Background of the Study

Agriculture in Malaysia

Agriculture has played a key role in the development of Malaysia. This country is the

world' s leading palm oil producer and the third largest producer of natural rubber.

Agriculture continues to make a significant contribution to the national economy. In

2003, the agriculture sector registered a growth of 5.5%, following in importance the

manufacturing and the service sectors. In 2004, the government of Malaysia announced

the agriculture sector to be the third engine of growth. The government' s policy towards

agriculture focuses on increasing production, in order to achieve food self-sufficiency

and to develop exports (F AO, 2004).

As reported by Ahmad Smji Abdul Hamid (2006) in 2005 the agricultural sector

contribution was 9% of GDP, 4% of export tax, 6% of export earning and employed

1 3% of total labour.

Rice cultivation is the major food crop enterprise but priority agricultural systems

throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak are based on oil palm, rubber and

coconut. Accounting for about 0.67 million hectare for all seasons in 2001 (Ministry of

Agriculture, 2003). Oil-palm, rubber, coconut and durian also occupy large areas in the

agricultural cropping systems. In 200 1 , there were 3 .63, 1 .57, 0. 1 5 and 0. 1 2 million

hectares of oil-palm, rubber, coconut and durian, respectively. Together with paddy,

these crops covered 97% of the cultivated agricultural land in Malaysia (Department of

Agriculture, 2003).

Agricultural sector in Malaysia is divided into two sub-set namely industrial

commodities such as oil palm, forestry and logging, rubber and cocoa, and the food

commodities covering fisheries, livestock, paddy and coconut, vegetable, fruits, tobacco

and pepper. The food commodities account for about 1 6% of the total agricultural

exports in 2005. In terms of agricultural land use, food commodities account for about

1 2 .5% as compared to oil palm plantations covering at 63 .4% of food commodities

(Chen and Hasnah Mohd.Zain, 2006).

The Malaysian agricultural sector is characterized by dualism in its production systems

which are the estate sub sector and smallholding sub sector. The estate sub sector is

highly commercialized but smallholding sub sector making up less commercialized. The

2

average size of a small farm holding is about 1 .45 hectares. However, because of the

large number of small farm holdings, the hectares of land operated by them are larger

than that of the estate sub sector. At present there are more than 1 million small holders

cultivating about 75% of land area under agriculture. The estates totally involved in the

production of industrial crops. However the small holdings are the main contributors to

the food crop as well as the industrial crop (Norma Othman, 2006).

The bottom line in agricultural trade is that manufacturers are demanding agricultural

products that are produced in a safe and sustainable way and with assurance that they are

truly conforming to standards of Good Agriculture Practice (GAP). Towards this

objective, attention has been given on sustainable agricultural productions (Norma

Othman, 2006).

Thus, the Malaysian government is trying to encourage production in the food sector for

export and to develop and expand the market for agricultural produce and agro-based

products globally in order to balance the trade, especially in agriculture by 201 0. For

that purpose, the third National Agricultural Policy (NAP3) was launched on 22

February 1999. In this policy, agriculture is recognized as the third engine of growth,

after the manufacturing and service sectors and has been given more emphasis

(Mohamed Mohd. Salleh, 2007).

However, 90% of the clients in the food sector are smallholders with uneconomic-sized

farms. The cost of production of these smallholders is high, with low input, low yield

and poor quality produce. Thus, the government launched several good agricultural

3

practice (GAP) schemes in order to improve the quality of produce and the income of

clients. These smallholders are the target for the GAP schemes (Mohamed Mohd. SaIleh,

2007) and the mission statement of the Department of Agriculture currently includes

provision of consultancy services to these small holders (Farrington, Christoplus, Kidd

& Beckman, 2002). Taking cognizance of these challenges and to achieve the new

Agricultural Policy, Malaysia has also embarked on the program to ensure that the

agricultural production meets the guidelines of sustainable agriculture. Hence a

certification scheme audited to GAP standard was introduced and implemented in the

country.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

The GAP approach applies recommendations to addressing environmental, economic

and social sustainability for on-farm production and post-production processes resulting

in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products (FAO, 2003).

Similarly Iowa State University (2004) defined The Good Agricultural Practices as set

of recommendations that can help improve the quality and safety of the produce grown.

The GAP focus on four primary components of production and processing: soil, water,

hands, and surfaces. According to FAO (2003), The Good Agricultural Practices covers

on-farm and post-farm activities related to food safety, food quality and food security,

the environmental impacts of agriculture and often various social objectives including

animal health and welfare and agricultural workers rights. A GAP approach to

agriculture involves the establishment of guidelines or standards for agricultural

producers and post-farm handlers, the monitoring of these standards, and the

4

communication of these standards through credible quality signals to downstream firms,

consumers and the public in general (FAO,2003) . Norma Othman (2006) defined the

Good Agricultural Practice as an integrated system to manage the hazards associated

with the elements of land, input, processes and output of agricultural production to

achieve productivity, sustainability, quality and safe produce.

The first GAP scheme for food crops introduced in Malaysia was the Malaysian Farm

Certification Scheme for Good Agricultural Practice (Skim Amalan Ladang Baik

Malaysia) with the acronym SALM. The scheme was developed by the Department of

Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro- based Industry, modeled after

EUREPGAP and later was modified to suit the needs of the local and international

markets. It was launched in the year 2002 (Norma Othman, 2006).

SALM is a national program implemented to recognize and certify farms which adopt

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), considering products that are of quality, safe and

suitable for consumption. The SALM certification scheme comprises 1 6 components,

whereby each component is made up of rules. The scheme is based on Malaysian

Standard MS 1 784:2005 - Crop Commodities - Good Agricultural Practice. The GAP

schemes provide an assurance to consumers that the farm produce are safe for

consumption (Norma Othman, 2006).

As the focus of this study is on extension workers transferring SALM program to the

clients, it is important to note that getting clients to apply SALM or any new technology

needs motivation and encouragement. A series of training throughout the country were

5

held by the DOA to explain the nature and rationale for this program to the clients', with

emphasis on the benefits it brings. However many of the clients still have not adopted

the SALM practices. According to Normah Othman (2006) adoption of SALM requires

changing the mindset of the clients to conform and fulfill the conditions of SALM as

stipulated in the scheme. As SALM is based on certain standards, clients who registered

have to adjust their way of doing things on their farms such as keeping proper farm

records which is not a norm amongst Malaysian clients who produce food crops.

Adoption of SALM and Participation in this program in Malaysia is voluntary and there

is no legislative control and no incentives given by the government, therefore the

response from the clients and producers are quite slow.

Since the Third National Agriculture Policy in 1 999, the emphasis has been on

improving the quality of fresh produce, particularly for the export market in order to

balance the Malaysian trade by 201 0. To achieve this target, the Malaysian government

launched good agricultural practices (GAP) in 2002 to promote agricultural products.

The government has introduced several certification schemes and this study focuses on

the Malaysian Farm Good Agricultural Practice Scheme (SALM). The first Good

Agricultural Practice scheme introduced in Malaysia was "Skim Akreditasi Ladang

Malaysia" (SALM) or Malaysian Farm Accreditation Scheme by the Department of

Agriculture Malaysia (DOA). The scheme was later changed to "Skim Amalan Ladang

baik Malaysia," carrying the same acronym SALM. This is a voluntary scheme in which

interested clients have to meet a set of requirements before being certified. The ultimate

6

goal of the scheme is for a produce to be branded as "Malaysia's Best", which is an

internationally accepted mark (Mohamed Mohd Salleh, 2007).

SALM was launched on 31 January 2002 by the DOA. It is a national programme

implemented to recognize and certify farms which adopt Good Agricultural Practices

(GAP), operating in an environment friendly way, considering workers health and safety

and yielding products that are of quality, safe and suitable for consumption. It is

mandatory for the clients to take corrective action to address the weakness (Normah

Othman, 2006).

The SALM Certification Scheme comprises 1 6 components, whereby each component is

made up of rules or specific conditions. The scheme is based on Malaysian Standard MS

1 784:2005 - Crop Commodities - Good Agricultural Practice (GAP). The components

are:

I . Traceability 2. Record keeping and internal audit 3 . Planting materials

and root stocks 4. Site history and site management 5. Soil and substrate

management 6. Fertilizer management 7. Irrigation and fertigation 8 . crop

protection 9. Harvesting 1 0. Post harvest handling 1 1 . Pesticide residue

analysis of Produce 1 2. Waste and pollution management, recycling and

re-use. 1 3 . Workers' health, Safety and welfare 1 4. Environmental issues.

1 5 . Record of complaints 1 6. Legal requirements.

SALM provide an assurance to consumers that the farm produce are safe and suitable for

consumption as they come from farms that have been certified. Improved consumer

7

confidence will facilitate easier market access as consumers perceive food safety to be

integral to food quality. The GAP training programme for Malaysian clients focuses

more on the SALM certification, since SALM is a programme that encompasses and

integrates many activities that the DOA has been extending to Malaysian clients in the

past such as farm record keeping, crop management, soil conservation, integrated pest

management and post-harvest handling. Hence SALM certification is a value-added

incentive for clients producing food commodities adhering to GAP (Normah Othman,

2006).

According to Normah Othman (2006).The Department of Agriculture plays a lead role

in the extension programme in Malaysia. In order to achieve the objective of the

sustainable agriculture and rural development, one of the major parts of the extension

program is training of clients or the implementers. The objective of the training program

is to increase awareness of good agricultural practices among clients. The GAP training

programme for clients involved in crop production focuses more on the SALM

certification. How ever the level of awareness among clients is still low since there have

been insufficient promotional efforts to encourage adoption of SALM by clients.

Importance of extension education

Many clients in developing countries lack knowledge and skil l of Good Agricultural

Practice. The lack of knowledge cause the decline of trust between the agricultural and

food processing sectors and reduces the potential benefits from food exports. Therefore

clients need to be educated in the skills of farm management involving the adoption of

GAP to produce raw materials that are of good quality and safe. Since extension is a

8