Analysis of Energy Consumption in Rubber Cultivation in Malaysia: A Case Study

• Published in: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
• Main Author: Zulekipli H.A.; Pebrian D.E.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Physics Publishing 2019
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074650342&doi=10.1088%2f1755-1315%2f327%2f1%2f012004&partnerID=40&md5=aeff03ba441b287740616cb0f24e0e03

Efficient energy use in rubber cultivation is one of the important strategies that can facilitate the sustainability and competitiveness of this crop as one of the main contributors in Malaysian economy from agricultural sector. Therefore, a case study was conducted to analyze the efficiency energy in Malaysian rubber cultivation. Data and other relevant information were gathered through a combination of oral interviews and field observations at rubber plantations located in the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia Mini Station (RRIMINIS), Jasin, Melaka and Lakai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Mathematical calculations and computer spreadsheet were used to analyze the collected data. The findings showed that the rubber cultivation in the study areas consumed 16080.86 MJ/ha of energy. The largest amount of this energy, which accounts for 65.93% was consumed by fertilizing operation, followed by planting, weeding, collecting latex, land preparation, spraying hormones, tapping and pruning with share of 15.92%, 9.66%, 4.03%, 3.93%, 0.44%, 0.06%, and 0.04%, respectively. Energy output/inputs ratio in the rubber cultivation was 0.83. Decisively, the energy inputs used in the rubber plantations were less effective since the energy output/inputs ratio is lower than 1. Thus, energy saving-technologies and techniques are highly recommended to be introduced in rubber cultivation in Malaysia in order to achieve sustainability of economics and productivity of rubber planting industry in the country. © 2019 Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.