Exploring Asset-Based Community-led Development (ABCD) Elements for Determining Farm Technologies in Rural Rice Farming Community – Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak

Abstract

Malaysia is a net importer of rice, and Sarawak itself contributes approximately 8.2% of total national rice production. Although Malaysia national policy targeting to achieve 80% self-sufficient level of rice for national food security agenda, another alternative is to explore some premium quality traditional rice varieties that potentially entering into premium market for the socioeconomic advancement especially for the rural areas. Traditionally, the choice of farm technologies are implemented through government direction in a top-down approach, through decisions, strategies, and diffusion processes driven by the agencies. This study aims to explore the elements of Asset-Based Community-led Development (ABCD) as an alternative to conventional needs-based development within a community of rice farmers based in the Kelabit Highlands – a rural community in the highlands of the East Malaysia state of Sarawak. The study collected interview data from rice farmers in the Kelabit Highlands community and also discussed the role of agencies and their efforts to form partnerships, and peer collaborations based on those assets identified and community strength. The study also evaluated the ABCD framework as a means to visualize community-based assets. Clarifying these factors would identify suitable farming technologies that are socially desirable in the Kelabit Highlands and determine a bottom up method for other rural communities to evaluate and pave a path forward in selecting farming technologies that fit into their landscape.   Keywords: ABCD, bottom-up, farm technologies, rice farming, top-down