Journal of Geoscience and Eco Agricultural Studies

Abstract

This study presents the first large-scale, evidence-based baseline of the nipah palm (Nypa fruticans) industry in Sarawak, Malaysia, focusing on harvesting, processing, trading and food service activities. Using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and snowball sampling, surveys were conducted with 761 respondents, including 452 harvesters/processors, 91 traders and 218 food and beverage operators. Results show that 75% of harvesters work full-time, 88% produce palm sugar and 59% earn RM1,000 - RM1,500 monthly, indicating a low-margin, small-scale sector. Key constraints include high competition, rising input costs and limited marketing capacity. Despite these challenges, the industry sustains rural livelihoods, particularly in coastal areas and holds potential for value-added diversification. Priority interventions include targeted training, infrastructure upgrades and supply chain formalization to enhance market access and resilience. Findings provide a foundation for policy, investment and comparative studies on underutilized tropical resources.