The objective of this study is to investigate the demand for quality vegetables in Malaysia. This study estimates quality elasticities from the difference between expenditure and quantity elasticities in order to show the demand for quality vegetables in Malaysia. By using the Household Expenditure Survey 2004/2005, expenditure and quantity Engel equations are estimated via two stage least square. The positive estimated quality elasticities (except root and tuberous vegetable) show that Malaysian consumers tend to increase their demand for quality vegetables in response to their incomes rise. To be more specific, urban consumers are expected to demand more of higher quality vegetables (except root and tuberous vegetable) than rural consumers.
Using the Malaysian Household Expenditure Survey 2004/2005 data, this study investigated Malaysian consumers’ preference for beef quantity, quality, and lean beef. Demand and price models that incorporated consumer socio-economic variables were estimated via two-stage least squares (2SLS). This study showed that Malaysian consumers tend to demand for more quantity rather than quality of beef products. Malaysian consumers are also more responsive to price changes rather than fat reduction in beef products. It is more profitable for beef market players to increase their production as Malaysian consumers are expected to consume increasing amounts of beef products.
This study investigates productivity growth and efficiency of Large Scale Enterprises (LSEs) in the
Malaysian food processing industry. Malmquist productivity index of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was employed to five-digit panel data for the period of 2000-2006. The findings suggest that average Technical Efficiency (TE) of the LSEs was 0.683 during the period of observation, which indicates that the industries are able to expand their output as much as 31.7 percent by using the same level of inputs. Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth was positive at 7.3 percent, which is contributed by a Technical Efficiency Change (EFCH) of 4.3 percent and Technological Change (TECH) of 3.0 percent. Sub industries of manufacturing alcohol and wine as well as the processing and preserving of meat and meat products shows the highest productivity growth at 84.8 percent and 47.5 percent respectively. On the other hand, the sub industries of processing and preserving poultry and poultry products together with the manufacturing of chocolate are those which have the lowest TFP growth at -30.5percent and -14.8 percent respectively. The significant determinants of the productivity growth, with a positive relationship are public infrastructure, IT expenditure and foreign ownership, while energy price is the determinant with a negative relationship. The main contributor to the TFP growth of the LSEs in the Malaysian food processing industry is EFCH, however, the LSEs can also improve the TFP growth by moving forward the production frontier as well.
A study was conducted to describe the prevalence and distribution of zoonotic Brucella melitensis in goats in Peninsular Malaysia. Using serosurveillance data of the last decade (2000-2009) involving 119,799 goats and 3555 farms, the seroprevalence of brucellosis among goats was 0.91% (95% CI=0.86-0.96) and among farms was 7.09% (95% CI=6.27-7.98). The odds of brucellosis was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the later part of the decade, in larger herd size and among the states located in the peninsula as compared to eastern Malaysia. The infection was detected throughout Malaysia but at generally low seroprevalences with states like Perlis that border neighbouring countries having higher seroprevalence of brucellosis than other non-border states.
Caprine brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic infection affecting goats especially in developing countries all over the world. In Malaysia, the risk factors associated with this infection in farms have not been studied. A case-control study was carried out in goat farms in four states of Malaysia to elucidate the risk factors associated with the infection on the farms using structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Results indicate that the introduction of new animals (OR = 5.25; 90 % CI = 1.46, 18.88), younger age category of farms (OR = 5.53; 90 % CI = 1.09, 21.66), and farms with single breed of goats (OR = 8.50; 90 % CI = 1.27, 41.97) were significant risk factors for brucellosis. In order to control brucellosis or possibly eradicate it in goat farms, these factors need to be dealt with. Enforcing stringent importation protocols or complete ban of goat importation from brucellosis endemic countries will help reduce risk of introducing new infection into the country.