Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Exercise No. 2.07 32
kEEPING RECORDS OF FARM ACTIVITIES: GUIDED
DISCUSSIONS ON ‘WHY’ AND ‘WHAT’ TO RECORD
FOR ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Record is a matter of history; it cannot predict a
future. However, it can furnish valuable information
about past performance in specific areas of farming
operations that can be used together with other data
in determining future operations. Keeping in mind
elements of risk and uncertainty inherent in organic
42
Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ This exercise is most
appropriate early in
an FFS season, so that
farmers will be aware
of why they keep careful
records of production and
labor costs in learning
field studies and in their
own farms.
vegetable production, this will at least systematize farm management. In general, record
keeping is important because 33 :
• It increases farmer’s efficiency by providing him a basis in deciding where to put his resources (e.g.,
whether it should be better to make compost instead of buying commercial organic fertilizer);
• It can be used for planning and budgeting. Financial records answer how much, while physical
records answer how many questions;
• Profitability of various operations can be evaluated. By comparing costs and returns among
different operations, a farmer will be able to know the comparative profitability of each
enterprise in his farm;
• It shows where a farmer’s money comes from (e.g., return) and where it goes (e.g., costs);
• A farmer’s capacity to pay is best shown by his farm records. Financial records provide
evidence that will show solvency or financial stability of his enterprise; and
• Settling questions becomes easy if all transactions are well recorded, especially between
landlords and tenants.
32 Adapted from Callo, Jr. D.P., A.G. Castillo, and C.A. Baniqued (eds). 2001. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Corn Production. SEAMEO
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), College, Laguna, Philippines. pp94-96.
33 PCARRD. 1975. The Philippines recommends for Vegetable Crops. 1975. Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development
(PCARRD), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. pp136-139. As cited in: Callo, Jr. D.P., A.G. Castillo, and C.A. Baniqued (eds). 2001. Field Guide of
Discovery-based Exercises for Corn Production. SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), College,
Laguna, Philippines. pp94-96.