An Adaptation of Challenges among the Vulnerable Smallholders in Rural Area: Kampung Merchong, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia Noor Aimran Samsudin a , Mohamad Fadhli Rashid b , Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin c , Ibrahim Ngah d a Senior Lecturer, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia b PhD. candidate, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia c Senior Lecturer, UTM Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia d Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Abstract Smallholders become increasingly significant for global agricultural value chains. The agriculture sector is a source of livelihood worldwide. In rural areas of Malaysia, there are several challenges has been identified by applying smallholder activities. The article focuses on an adaptation of smallholder in the rural area towards current challenges of practising it locally, with particular reference to Kampung Merchong that located in Pekan District, Pahang State, Malaysia. Based on in-depth interview with local smallholder farmers and series site visit for field observation, there are at least three challenges has been highlighted occurred in study area included (1) labor shortages due to outmigration, (2) lack of skills, professional advice, training and finance; and (3) the low quality of soil and agricultural land. Thus, this review will notify state governments, related agencies and the private sector to draw attention to this neglected and vulnerable rural smallholder activities. Such situation may affect the Pekan District as a major rice producer in Pahang in future due to the unsustain smallholder economy activities. Keywords Rural; Smallholders; Adaptation; Vulnerable; Malaysia 1. Introduction The agriculture remains an important sector in Malaysia even industrialization has broadened local economy. Department of Statistics Malaysia (2016) reported that in 2015, the agriculture sector contributed 8.9% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sub-Theme: 11 Strengthening Rural Economy