Assessing farm records-keeping behavior among small-scale pineapple farmers in the Nsawam Adoagyiri municipality, Ghana

Abstract

This paper seeks to bring more clarity to the phenomenon of farm records keeping among small-scale pineapple farmers in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Specifically, it seeks to measure the motivation behind farm records keeping, the nature of records kept, the benefits derived from the activity and how demographic and socio-economic characteristics of farmers influence the practice. Using a multi-stage random selection procedure, 120 pineapple farmers selected from 25 pineapple growing communities in the Municipality were interviewed using structured interview schedules. The study showed that records keeping was common among the pineapple farmers interviewed with the farmers keeping at least six (6) farm records. The chi-square test showed that farm records keeping depended on educational level, years of experience in pineapple farming and farm size. Besides, records keeping was informed primarily by the desire to make productivity projections and promote effective agribusiness management. The study makes a strong case for sustained communication, education and awareness creation on the practice to engender good agribusiness outcomes.