The analysis of vulnerability faced by gahai agropolitan participants

Abstract

Vulnerability is always related to the poor group. Vulnerability can be defined as being vulnerable to damage or ill effects because of changes in the society and the environment, and the inability to adapt to changes. In-depth understanding is important to probe what action should be taken to achieve the sustainability of the community and its environment. In Malaysia, the government has implemented various eradication programmes on rural poverty, and sustainable livelihoods, such as the agropolitan projects. Agropolitan projects are capable of achieving the objective to eradicate poverty, and the vulnerability faced by project participants which will affect their lives. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the vulnerability of agropolitan participants in Malaysia by utilising the Gahai Agropolitan, Lipis, Pahang project as a case study. This study used simple random sampling and it involved 45 participants of Gahai Agropolitan Project. Data were analysed using the Descriptive Analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The findings showed that Gahai Agropolitan Project Participants faced multi-dimensional vulnerability in terms of economic, social, and physical and environmental aspects. Therefore, the Ministry of Rural Development (KKLW) and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) need to pay more attention to reduce the vulnerability to participants of the agropolitan project, and help them to increase their income and improve their lives.