Abstract
Ineffective straw management by open field burning, leaving it on the field, and dumping it in landfill causes serious environmental degradation and adversely affects public health. This study assesses the level of farmers’ knowledge on straw potential and the benefits of using straw in agricultural activities. Descriptive analysis was carried out on 160 farmers in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) agricultural region in Kedah who manage straw in an environmentally-friendly manner. Results show that most of farmers lack knowledge in using straw in agricultural activities. The interviews revealed that the re-use of straw in the agricultural activities would enhance soil quality, improve the growth quality of plant, improve livestock and seedling germination, increase yield production; and reduce the cost of farm management. Given the economic value and high potential, straw could stimulate the wider rural economy through added-value as well as generally increase the socioeconomic class of farmers and improve the agricultural environment.