Determinant skills influencing the readiness of vegetable farmers in Peninsular Malaysia to face challenges during catastrophe

Farmers face immense challenges during catastrophic events, as these disruptions significantly affect farming operations, supply chains, and access to essential resources. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, further exacerbated these challenges in Malaysia due to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO). These restrictions disrupted logistics, limited farmers' access to technical support, and hindered input assistance from extension agents, thereby critically impacting agricultural productivity. Despite these adversities, some farmers adapted through strategies like shifting to digital marketing and direct sales, highlighting the need for resilience and readiness to sustain agricultural activities during crises. As of 2024, the relevance of studying the pandemic's impacts on Malaysia's agricultural sector endures, given its implications for future disruptions. Studies on the agri-food supply chain post-COVID-19 provide valuable insights into adaptive mechanisms, reinforcing the importance of developing robust strategies to enhance farmers’ readiness. This research investigates the readiness of farmers to face catastrophe challenges, focusing on skills such as technology, implementation, leadership, and decision- making. Using theoretical frameworks like the Iceberg Model, the Community Readiness Model (CRM), and the Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2.0), the study aims to: (i) determine the levels of these skills and their relationship with readiness; (ii) explore the correlations between these skills and farmers’ readiness; and (iii) identify the most significant predictors of readiness during catastrophic events. The study surveyed 503 vegetable farmers across Peninsular Malaysia, representing a target population of 35,780. Data were collected using a six-part structured questionnaire administered both online and face-to-face through simple random sampling. Analytical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), were employed to evaluate the data. Descriptive findings revealed the skill levels and readiness of farmers, while correlation analysis identified positive relationships between these skills and readiness. Regression and SEM analyses highlighted decision-making skills as the most significant predictor, explaining 48.7% of the variance in readiness (R2 = 0.487) alongside leadership skills. Decision-making skills demonstrated the highest correlation with readiness (r = 0.751), with other skills like technology, implementation, and leadership also positively correlated. The findings emphasize the critical role of decision-making skills in preparing farmers for crises. Policymakers are urged to integrate these skills into national agricultural resilience strategies to bolster the sector’s ability to withstand future disruptions. Training programs focusing on scenario-based learning and capacity-building initiatives are recommended to enhance decision-making and leadership capabilities. These interventions will empower farmers to make informed decisions independently during crises, ensuring continuity in food production and contributing to Malaysia’s food security. This study concludes that decision-making skills are the strongest predictor of farmer readiness. Enhancing these through targeted interventions will not only improve individual farmer preparedness but also enable agricultural extension services to adopt innovative approaches tailored to crises. Future research should explore additional factors, such as technology adoption and risk perception, to gain a comprehensive understanding of farmers’ resilience during catastrophic events. Policymakers and extension agents must prioritize skill development, creating a more adaptive and resilient agricultural sector capable of facing future challenges with confidence.

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