Many methods have been introduced to evaluate straight-line accuracy of autopilot pilot tractor while moving across the farm field. This study presents a new alternative approach for evaluating straight-line accuracy of an autopilot tractor traversing the oil palm field terrain. A combination of mapping and spreadsheet software was utilized to develop the approach. The passes of autopilot tractor traversing the oil palm field were mapped by its embedded GPS system. The recorded tractor passes along with latitude and longitude coordinates of World Geographical System (WGS) 1984 were converted into Kertau Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) in XY-plane of Cartesian coordinate by using mapping software. The values of converted coordinates were then exported to a spreadsheet software for computing the errors of straight-line accuracy. The new approach successfully found mean error of straight-line accuracy of ±7.78 cm of the tractor traversing the oil palm field terrain. Generally, this approach has a great potential to enrich the existing methods in the evaluation of the straight-line accuracy of autopilot tractor for field operations.

The autopilot-automated steering system is one of today’s modern technologies in a tractor’s driving system for conducting the operations in farmland. However, further study on the suitability of this steering technology on a particular geographic region is still a necessity. This study evaluated the precision of tractor operations with soil sensor implement using manual and autopilot-automated steering systems on oil palm plantation terrain in Malaysia. A New Holland TD5.75 tractor with 75 hp engine size equipped with a Trimble autopilot-automated steering system pulling a Veris 3100 soil electrical conductivity (EC) sensor was tested in this study. The findings showed that each steering system generated a little different pattern of spatial variability in interpolated soil EC maps. Apart from that, autopilot-automated steering system offered better performances by saving energy expenditure of operator and improving the field capacity of operation. Conclusively, tractor with autopilot-automated steering presented a great suitability for the use in agricultural operations in Malaysia.

The affordability of packaging materials and proper storage facilities to preserve the quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) has become a problematic issue for small-scale farmers in Malaysia, who have limited resources and rely on their crops for income. This study compares the post-harvest quality preservation of lettuce using plastic bags and newspapers as cost-effective packaging materials under storage durations of 0, 3, 6, 12, and 15 days. The lettuce quality parameters measured were chlorophyll, sucrose, weight loss, and overall visual quality (OVQ). The results showed newspapers had the highest mean weight loss (7.91 g), while plastic had the lowest one (5.81 g). However, chlorophyll content did not significantly differ between the two packaging types. Lettuce packaged in plastic bags had a significantly lower total soluble solids (TSS) content mean value (2.89%) compared to newspaper (3.89%). In addition, the plastic bag materials gave a better OVQ than that of the newspaper. Generally, the use of plastic bags as a packaging option for small-scale lettuce farmers in Malaysia is affordable and readily available.

Repair costs of farm machinery vary depending on specific geographical conditions of a country. This study was conducted to investigate current data on farm machinery repair costs with respect to characteristics of oil palm plantations in Malaysia. Relevant data were collected through face-to-face interviews and surveys that were carried out at several oil palm estates in Malaysia. Spreadsheet software was used to analyse the collected data. Findings of the study indicated relationships between farm machinery size and annual average repair costs in accordance with specific conditions and type of operations at the plantations. The relationships between farm machinery size and annual hours of farm machinery use, and farm machinery age are also discussed. This study also established a specific mathematical model for estimating Cumulative Repair and Maintenance (CRM) costs of farm machinery in Malaysian oil palm plantations.

Oil palm replanting is a capital-intensive process that often disrupts household income, leading to increased livelihood vulnerability among farming communities. This study assesses the level of household vulnerability experienced by smallholder oil palm farmers in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, both before and during the replanting phase. A mixed-methods approach was used, with a census-based sample of 180 households selected from four Village Unit Cooperatives (VUCs), Associations of Farmer Groups (AFGs), and Farmer Groups (FGs) that received replanting assistance in 2018 through Indonesia’s Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (POFMA). Vulnerability was measured using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI), which captures changes across five livelihood asset categories: human, physical, social, natural, and financial. The findings reveal a significant increase in vulnerability during the replanting period, primarily due to reduced income and shifts in household assets. These results highlight the need for targeted government interventions to strengthen household resilience and mitigate the socio-economic impacts of oil palm replanting. Policy recommendations are provided to improve the effectiveness of replanting programs in supporting rural livelihoods.