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.
