Farmers’ use of subpar rice seed has a substantial impact on the production of rice harvest since it may result in the spread of disease and pests, the incapacity of crops to adapt to climate change, poor soil quality, and bad plant structure. In this context, the situation mentioned earlier has a detrimental impact on farmers' financial earnings as well as an escalation in expenses related to input procurement and crop management, thereby influencing the overall welfare of farmers. Therefore, this study was carried out to identify the selection of rice seed varieties within five seasons of cultivation among farmers and the effect of using quality rice seed varieties on rice cultivation activities. The study employed the descriptive quantitative research approach, and the survey instruments were administered to a sample of 95 rice farmers residing in the AFO F-IV Sungai Limau MADA area, Yan, Kedah. The results of the study found that most respondents used the MR297 rice seed variety for each planting season due to their confidence in the agronomic characteristics of the variety. The findings also indicate the impact of using quality varieties recommended by agricultural agencies. These include increased production, crop tolerance to weather factors, higher resilience, and resistance to disease attacks. This situation has real impacts, including increased farmers' income, lower costs of purchasing production inputs, and farmers’ well-being. This has several consequences for technological advancements in creating high-quality rice seed varieties and their usage by farmers, which can boost rice output, the economy, and the well-being of the farmers, in addition to assuring the security of the nation's rice supplies.

This systematic literature review examines the role of local community participation in ecotourism development across Borneo, focusing on three key dimensions: benefit, community involvement and constraints. The study highlights the importance of ecotourism as a pathway for sustainable development, guided by the principles of environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community engagement. It seeks to answer the central research question: How does local community participation influence the socioeconomic, sustainability of ecotourism initiatives in Borneo? To address this question, an extensive search of scholarly articles was conducted using reputable databases, including Scopus and Web of Science, following the PRISMA framework for systematic review. A total of 33 eligible studies were identified and analyzed. The findings were organized into three thematic areas: (1) the socioeconomic impacts of ecotourism, (2) the influence of community participation on the success and sustainability of ecotourism initiatives, and (3) the constraints and structural barriers that limit effective community engagement. The review concludes that local community participation in ecotourism generates significant socioeconomic and environmental benefits, but the durability of these gains depends on local authority in governance and stronger community networking. These insights emphasize the need for participatory and locally grounded policies to advance sustainable ecotourism program in Borneo.

The economic valuation is crucial to estimate non-marketed goods, which refer to public willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation efforts in the tourism area. Both local communities and visitors play an important role in developing sustainable tourism and well-being. However, the information on economic valuation based on their preferences and well-being is still limited in the world heritage site Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP). Thus, the study attempts to elucidate the WTP on how the local community and visitors value biodiversity conservation in GMNP through park entrance fees and how it relates to conservation awareness and community well-being in the area. The validated questionnaire was distributed to the visitors (n = 87) and the local community (n = 99) through an online and face-to-face approach, respectively. From the study, the estimated mean WTP among the public was MYR40.61 (USD9.60) per entry, which is highly influenced by their level of attitude and experience. The level of attitude among the respondents has influenced the WTP for the existing park entrance fee. Meanwhile, there is no awareness construct that affects the WTP for increased fees among visitors and the local community. The low level of knowledge and experience of the respondents but the high level of attitude has influenced the good WTP for the cheaper park entrance fee. It is noted that certain socio-demographic factors had influenced their WTP for the offered and maximum price. It was found that the environment and social factors have significantly influenced the WTP among the public. However, the economic factor did not predict their WTP. The findings enhance the relationship between crucial social value determinants and the economy, particularly on WTP in a protected area.

This study aimed to assess Malaysian farmers’ level of chemical input risk management practices and awareness, focusing on pesticide and fertilizer use. We disseminated a questionnaire to 141 farmers cultivating paddy fields in the Sungai Panjang parcel, Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Malaysia, using random sampling. The respondents’ knowledge and practices on chemical input risk management for the use of pesticides were recorded based on the degree of agreement score. We used descriptive analysis to determine the level of interpretation of the mean score. The findings reveal a commendable level of agricultural chemical risk management practices among respondents, as evidenced by their adherence to safety guidelines and poison labels. The notable weaknesses in farmers’ awareness were identified, such as the continued use of unregistered and illegal pesticides, and a lack of emphasis on the effective utilization of personal protective equipment. Embracing sustainable alternatives like green fertilizers and leveraging emerging technologies such as nanotechnology holds promise for enhancing productivity while mitigating environmental impact. Policy initiatives should prioritize incentivizing the adoption of such practices through supportive frameworks and targeted capacity-building efforts. These efforts align with broader sustainable development goals and contribute to the creation of a cleaner food chain and enhanced productivity. To fill these gaps, it is necessary to implement specific intervention programmes that focus on educating and empowering farmers regarding regulatory compliance and safety standards in order to guarantee the safety and quality of domestically produced rice.

HRMARS is well established journal publisher based in Pakistan. It is publishing prominent journals in social sciences since 2011.