APPLICATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN COCOA CULTIVATION : A MALAYSIAN COCOA BOARD JOURNEY
Authors: Rozita, O.*, Tee, Y. K. and Mohammed Helmi, S.
Journal Issue: Malaysian Cocoa Journal, Volume 16/2024
Keywords: Cocoa, cocoa farm activities, innovative technology, smart farming, technology limitation
Published On: 1/10/2024
Abstract
This paper will focus on the current technology-related studies conducted by Malaysian Cocoa Board in cocoa cultivation aimed at reducing the use of labour and also increasing cocoa yields. It will discuss the factors that limit the cocoa yield, including cocoa maintenance, management and other factors and the methods used to overcome these limitations through innovative research such as smart farming, precision agriculture, management information system, automation, mechanisation and robotics. In cocoa cultivation chain which is from land clearing to cocoa drying, there were a few activities that can be mechanized, automated, and made precise. These included land clearing, planting hole preparation, fertilizer application, pests and diseases management, pruning, pod breaking, and drying. In this paper, we also discussed the major obstacles in the implementation of new technology (smart farming) in cocoa cultivation such as farm size, aging farmers, overhead cost, expertise, internet connectivity and etc. In addition, future works related to advanced technology, for example, the potential use of automated vehicles/machines in cocoa maintenance activities and decision support system were also analysed.