Measuring the effectiveness of hydroponics technology knowledge transfer program from universiti utara malaysia-coconut island resources on rural community: A case study in jitra, kedah

Transfer of knowledge about innovation in agriculture is essential in improving the living standard of the rural community. This study focus on the collaboration of Universiti Utara Malaysia-Coconut Island Resources (UUM-CIR) hydroponics knowledge transfer to local communities of four villages namely Kampung Pulau Nyior, Kampung Alor Batu, Kampung Gelong, and Kampung Bemban, Jitra in the district of Kubang Pasu, Kedah. The objective of the study is to measure the effectiveness of the hydroponics technology knowledge transfer program by UUM-CIR to Mukim Gelong villagers. A total of 40 respondents was selected from the four villages and have been exposed to the hydroponics technology. The findings showed about 42.5% of the respondents were above 40 years old. In terms of gender, 57.5% of the respondents were female. Majority (70%) of the respondents are aware of hydroponics technology while most (32.5%) of them heard through the media such as newspaper, television and radio. More than half (55%) of the respondents have knowledge about hydroponics technology while 77.5% of respondents never used hydroponics technology. However, 37.5% of the respondents do not know how to set up the hydroponics kit before the workshop. Interestingly, after the workshop almost all (97.5%) the respondents could set up the hydroponics kit on their own and enjoyed using hydroponics technology. Based on this, knowledge transfer of hydroponics technology workshop was found to be effective to the local community with the collaboration of university and industry. The willingness to adapt the hydroponics technology will lead to reduction in household spending on purchase of vegetables, enhance food security and increase their intake of nutritious food which will create a healthy community.