DefinePK

Abstract

Abstract | Durian is a commercially valuable fruit with a short shelf life and high susceptibility to deterioration if not handled properly after harvest. Therefore, good post-harvest is vital to maintain the quality of durian. Unfortunately, farmers’ adoption of post-harvest practices (PHP) remains low. Agricultural extension services significantly influence farmers’ decisions, but studies on their impact on PHP are ambiguous. This study aims to determine the factors affecting the adoption of PHP among durian farmers in Peninsular Malaysia. The combination of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) Model, and extension services are utilised to address some of the contradictions in the literature regarding PHP adoption. Through multi-stage sampling techniques, 400 durian farmers in Peninsular Malaysia were selected for sampling and population. Smart-PLS was employed to analyse and answer the research objectives. The findings of this study indicates that agricultural extension services (β=0.109; t=1.901; p=0.029), attitude (β =0.271; t=4.781; p=0.000), knowledge (β =0.181; t=4.897; p=0.000), facilitating conditions (β=0.115; t=1.073; p=0.044), and effort expectancy (β =0.166; t=2.741; p=0.003) significantly influence post-harvest adoption. In contrast, social influence (β =0.036; t=0.681; p=0.248), and performance expectancy (β=0.048; t=0.771; p=0.220) were found to be insignificant. Special attention should be paid to other factors influencing PHP adoption to support new literature on technology adoption theories or models in future studies. This study is also significant in meeting the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (2021-2030), drafted by the government to enhance food security and improve international trade.