The Benefits of the Adoption of Smart Agriculture in Oil Palm Estates: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Palm oil is an incredibly efficient crop because it is a natural, renewable resource with multiple uses. It is used in food, cosmetics and even biofuel. It is used in food products, detergents, cosmetics and even biofuel. The palm oil industry employs millions of people and is an essential source of income for many developing countries. Smart agriculture is the future for Malaysian oil palm plantations via the adoption of new technology. It will provide a solid foundation for precision agriculture to increase productivity in oil palm production. The purpose of this study is to discover the benefits of smart agriculture in oil palm estates in Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of the benefits of the technology in oil palm estate. Interviews were conducted with a total of twelve estate managers and assistant managers of oil palm estates in Malaysia. The interview was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Based on the findings, the participant mentioned that the use of smart agriculture technology has helped the estate in terms of increasing efficiency, reducing labour use and saving time. Therefore, with these transformative technologies, the oil palm industry will continue to thrive to ensure that this industry remains viable and sustainable.