Pineapple Farmers Research Articles

Challenges and Opportunities in Pineapple and Cabbage Cultivation in Nagaland: A Garrett Ranking Analysis

India’s horticulture sector, a significant contributor to the nation’s economy has experienced substantial growth, particularly in states like Nagaland. This study examines the growth and challenges faced by the horticulture sector in Nagaland, with a particularly emphasis on fruit and vegetable cultivation. Despite horticulture sector being a significant component of the state’s economy, the sector has experiences periods of negative growth particularly between 2011-12 and 2017-18. Taking a sample survey of 120 farmers, the study aims to analyse the farm sizes, productivity and the challenges faced by the farmers associated with the decline. Both Pineapple and Cabbage farmers face common challenges such as pest and disease management and ineffective pricing systems. However, pineapple farmers also struggle with inadequate credit facilities, while cabbage farmers face additional issues with irrigation infrastructure. The findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as upgrading infrastructure, improving farm practices, and expanding market access, are crucial for revitalising the sector. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to formulate strategies that can address these challenges, support sustainable growth, and ultimately strengthen the horticulture sector in Nagaland.

Knowledge and perceptions towards organic farming: a case of pineapple farmers in central Uganda

This study examined the knowledge and perceptions as well as factors that influence the knowledge and perceptions of pineapple farmers towards organic farming in Uganda. Through multi-stage sampling procedures, purposive and random techniques were applied at different stages to select participants from both Luwero and Kayunga districts in central Uganda. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A composite index for knowledge and perceptions was computed for each respondent and subjected to descriptive statistics while the censored Tobit regression model was used to determine factors that influenced farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of organic farming. Results showed that both organic and non-organic farmers had a high level of knowledge and favorable perceptions towards organic farming with no significant difference. Perceived environmental and economic benefits of organic farming did not significantly differ (p > 0.05) among organic and non-organic farmers. However, mean scores for perceived health and nutritional (4.30 vs. 3.94) benefits, and access to markets (4.10 vs. 3.89) differed significantly (p < 0.05) between organic and non-organic farmers. There was a positive and significant relationship between knowledge and perception of organic farming among non-organic farmers while for organic farmers, a significant and negative relationship was observed. Factors that significantly influenced farmers’ knowledge were information sources and farmers’ experiences. Farmer perceptions were influenced by education, information sources, group membership and extension services. Therefore, to enhance the adoption and growth of organic pineapple production in Uganda, policymakers and promoters should consider these factors when designing policy documents and sustainability strategies for the development of organic agriculture.

Comparative Analysis of the Profitability of Major Value-added Activities Along the Pineapple Value Chain in Ghana

This study aimed to analyze the profitability of sampled pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers in Ghana, which will help to assess how these actors optimize available resources to generate profits and achieve production efficiency. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used with interview schedules as the data collection instruments. The sample size was 320, 66, and 169, pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers respectively. The study found that pineapple production and processing were profitable, but marketing was not. The results showed a significant difference in the profit share of the group actors, highlighting that the profit share of each actor along the pineapple value chain is different. The results also showed that income, capital, and planting materials were the main determinants of farmers' profits. On the other hand, capital, pineapples, and packaging materials were the predictors of processors' profits. While transport, revenue, and loading and unloading costs predicted the marketer's profit. Based on these findings, the study recommended that NGOs and other partner agencies promote the pineapple industry in various ways to reduce poverty by providing credit facilities to actors to increase their productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Determinants of the factors affecting the governance structure choice of the pineapple value chain: A case study on market-based agroforestry in Bangladesh

This study examines the governance structures selected by pineapple farmers in the agroforestry system of Bangladesh and the determinants that impact their choices for these structures. To evaluate the factors influencing farmers' decisions to participate in spot markets, bilateral agreements, or association transactions, the study utilizes both quantitative and qualitative approaches, including surveys of 200 farmers, 15 focus group discussions (FGDs), and 2 key informant interviews (KIIs). In order to choose individual participants, the study employed a stratified random sampling technique. Utilising a multivariate probit (MVP) model, the study reveals crucial factors like age, education, farming experience, farm size, market certainty, weather influence, market connection, and pre-delivery conditions. Analysis indicates that spot market is the most favored governance structure (GS) among the three options in the agroforestry system, followed by bilateral transactions and association agreements. Evidence suggests that younger and less educated farmers tend to favor associations, whereas more experienced farmers tend to favor bilateral partnerships. Farms of bigger size typically refrain from joining groups, and unfavorable weather circumstances decrease the probability of engaging in spot markets. The study also demonstrates that robust market links exert an impact on the selection of governance frameworks. Considering the results, the study suggests enhancing training programs to facilitate farmers' understanding and involvement in associations, motivating farmer associations to appeal to larger farms and small farmers, and enhancing market information systems to establish robust market connections.

Economic Efficiency Of Pineapple Farming Using The Stochastic Frontier Approach

Central Aceh Regency is the province's largest pineapple producer. However, pineapple farming is facing the problem of low pineapple productivity and input use efficiency. The research aims to analyze the factors that influence the level of technical efficiency and the allocative and economic efficiency of pineapple farming in Pegasing District, Central Aceh Regency. The sampling process employs the stratified random sampling method. The total sample consisted of 62 respondents. The stochastic frontier is used. The research revealed that the production factor of land area, with a variable coefficient value of 0.0312, seeds with a variable coefficient value of seeds of 1.0152, and pesticides with a coefficient value of 5.6239, significantly influenced pineapple farming production in Pegasing District. Conversely, the labor factor, with a coefficient value of 0.0408, and fertilizer, with a coefficient value of 0.1198, had an insignificant effect. The use of inputs in pineapple farming has reached technical efficiency values, but there are ​still opportunities to increase optimally. However, neither allocatively nor economically have we achieved efficiency. The technical efficiency value for pineapple farmers was 0.80, the allocative efficiency value reached 0.427, and the economic efficiency was 0.351. Farmers, as actors in farming activities, need to pay attention to the use of the right combination of inputs; economic efficiency will be obtained from the use of production factors so that pineapple farmers' income will increase.

Pineapple Production and Its Marketing Channels in Bangladesh: Present Status, Prospects and Challenges

Pineapple production offers a unique opportunity for the farmers due to the favorable climatic conditions in Bangladesh. Consequently, pineapple cultivation in Bangladesh round the year, has picked up on quite a large scale. The nutritional condition of Bangladeshi individuals who are severely malnourished may be improved by pineapple. Pineapple cultivation is trending upward. Producing pineapples on the same site benefits farmers significantly more than growing other crops. Also, high return in comparison to other existing crops, easy cultivation process, possibility of intercropping, favorable weather condition are the main reasons behind its increasing production. Growing demand for chemical-free farm fresh pineapples among consumers has led farmers to pursue balanced use of pesticides and ripening agents. However, the demand for fertilizers and other chemicals has been increasing. Despite the fact that farming has grown highly lucrative, there are apparently many marketing and production related challenges that farmers must overcome. It is necessary to enhance Bangladesh's pineapple production and marketing system for the benefit of both producers and consumers, as it is ineffective and disorganized. Policymakers, extension agents, researchers and other actively involved marketing professionals should provide feedback to enhance their approach for raising future fair pricing by increasing production and marketing effectiveness. Infrastructure and technological investments, marketing channel diversification, farmer capacity building, supportive legislative reforms and enhanced market intelligence systems to boost competitiveness should all be included in sustainable pineapple farming methods, which can make pineapple farming more profitable.

Pineapple-based agroforestry in Bangladesh: Determinants of market choice and quantity of supply decision

Agroforestry is a land-use system integrating trees, crops, and sometimes livestock, offering a promising solution for both environment and agricultural resilience. The primary objectives of the study were to examine the determinants of market choice and quantity of market supply of pineapple in the agroforestry system in the Sal-forest under Tangail district in Bangladesh. Data were collected by using stratified randomly selected 200 pineapple farmers of Madhupur sub-district in Bangladesh and conducted 15 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 2 In-depth Interviews (IDIs). The study employed a multivariate probit model and multivariate linear regression. The pineapple farmers simultaneously selected 3 markets to maximize their profit: local market, district market and central market. Small and medium farmers are more likely to sell their products in local markets, and large farms are more likely to sell products in central and district markets. Multivariate probit regression analysis showed that training, farm size, and farmer ambition negatively influence local market selection by farmers. Ethnicity, training, experience, farm size, and knowledge of quality requirements had a positive influence on district market selection. Investment in production and uncertainty in buyers’ stability had a negative influence on central market selection. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that the age of respondents, total production, and association involvement positively impacted quantity of supply in the local market. Training, total production, and farmers’ ambition positively impacted district market supply. Farm size and average price of the pineapple positively impacted the quantity supply in the central market. The district and central markets offered better returns although several obstacles limited pineapple producers’ access to these markets. The uncertainty of buyers in accessing the central market (more profitable markets) needs to be addressed by stakeholders to encourage more agroforestry pineapple-based producers to select the right markets.

Examining the Influences on pineapple growers' profits in Basarang District's Batu Nindan Village

This research was conducted to analyze the characteristics of farmers and the profile of pineapple farming in Batu Nindan Village, Basarang District, Kapuas Regency, and to analyze the factors that influence the income of pineapple farming carried out by farmers in Batu Nindan Village, Basarang District, Kapuas Regency. This research was conducted in Batu Nindan Village, Basarang District, Kapuas Regency. The research location was chosen purposively to obtain the research objective, namely, to determine the factors influencing income in pineapple farming. The sample population that became research respondents was 35 pineapple farmers. This number is based on the sample determination method, classified as non-probability sampling. The analysis method used is descriptive data analysis. The research findings show that pineapple farmers' income in Batu Nindan Village is influenced by the size of the business, capital, amount of production, and labor. All variables show significant influence both partially and simultaneously

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to Estimate Technical and Scale Efficiencies of Smallholder Pineapple Farmers in Ghana

This study focuses on evaluating the technical and scale efficiencies of smallholder pineapple farmers in Ghana’s Central Region. We surveyed 320 participants selected using random sampling and applied an input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to gauge their technical, pure, and scale efficiencies. Our findings indicate that the mean technical efficiency among these farmers is 0.505, with individual scores ranging from 0.079 to 1.000. Notably, 90.82% of the farmers are operating below maximum efficiency levels, suggesting a potential input reduction of up to 49.5% while maintaining current production levels. Relaxing the assumption of constant returns under Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) conditions reveals a notable improvement in technical efficiency, with 10.82% more farmers achieving optimal efficiency levels. Furthermore, our analysis highlights scale inefficiencies, with 67.26% of farmers operating below optimal scale levels. By increasing production by 22.8%, these scale-inefficient farmers could enhance their efficiency and productivity within existing technological frameworks. These findings underscore the importance of collaborative efforts among policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders within the agricultural value chain to implement interventions such as improving access to technology and innovation for smallholder farmers and making necessary investments in farmer education and training programs to enhance both technical and scale efficiencies in Ghana’s pineapple sector. Such initiatives can drive sustainable growth, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and bolster the sector’s overall competitiveness.

Training and Educating of Pineapple Farmers in Producing Organic Fertilizer Using The Bio-EM4 Application Technology in Lendang Nangka Utara Village, Masbagik, East Lombok

The aim of this community service activity is to train and mentor farmers to produce organic fertilizer from cattle pen waste to create a village community that is self-sufficient in meeting the fertilizer needs for its pineapple farming business. The activity used a participatory action method, which was carried out for 19 months. The results of the activities show that the implementation of the activities ran smoothly and successfully. Farmers' participation and enthusiasm, which was previously moderate, turned out to be increased to high after implementing direct assistance in the field. Farmers' knowledge and skills are increasing as evidenced by the fertilizer produced based on SNI standards which is classified as good quality. Organic fertilizer produced by farmers can be used as a substitute for Urea, ZK and TSP fertilizer because application of a dose of 25 tons ha-1 plus NPK Ponska dose of 100 kg ha-1 can balance the growth and yield of pineapple in plots fertilized with NPK dose of 500 kg ha-1 . So the recommended application dose for organic fertilizer produced by this program is 25 tons ha-1 plus NPK Ponska 100 kg ha-1 with the application time after soil processing.

Exploring the impact of agricultural innovation practices on technical efficiency: The case of smallholder pineapple farmers in Ghana

Exploring the impact of agricultural innovation practices on technical efficiency: The case of smallholder pineapple farmers in Ghana

GlobalGAP compliance costs in Ghana’s small-scale pineapple farming sector

ABSTRACT When farmers implement GlobalGAP they incur specific input costs that arise from quality requirements of the technology. However, due to the difficultly in observing and measuring food quality, previous empirical studies seldom analysed the relationship between quality improvements in food production and total costs of production. They assumed that product quality itself was exogenous and hence had no effect on productive efficiency or cost of production. This study estimates the impact of GlobalGAP on costs of production while accounting for fixed cost improvements and quality endogeneity. Data were obtained from GlobalGAP-certified small-scale pineapple farmers in Ghana. The hypothesis that product quality was exogenous was tested and rejected. Consequently, a quality-adjusted translog cost function was used to identify the main contributors to cost increases on small-scale GlobalGAP-certified pineapple farms. The estimated function exhibited economies of size, implying that most small-scale adopters are unable to increase output and benefit from lower average costs. Production costs arising from improvements in quality imposed by GlobalGAP are most sensitive to changes in plantlet price, followed by wages, agrochemical price and expenditure on capital items. Smaller small-scale farmers are much more sensitive to increases in capital expenditure than are larger small-scale farmers. Key policy recommendations include joint ventures to increase nursery capacity and competition in the market for plantlets, scrutiny of mandatory fees impacting the cost of imported labour-saving inputs, facilitating sharing arrangements between smallholders to lower the cost of on-farm infrastructure, and research to identify constraints preventing certified farmers from exploiting size economies.

Application of satellite images and GIS to assess the site situation and propose solutions for developing pineapple cultivation in U Minh Thuong, Kien Giang, Vietnam

The study was conducted to assess the site situation and propose solutions to develop the cropping area of pineapples in U Minh Thuong (UMT), Kien Giang province. The study used the Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) classification method to create a map of pineapple cropping in the U Minh Thuong area in 2016. Data on rainfall, soil type, temperature, and water reserves are inherited from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Kien Giang Province and analyzed by the GIS method. Water irrigation in pineapple was estimated based on the formula of Mladen Todorovic, 2016 comparing freshwater reserves in the research region and irrigation water on pineapple, researched spatial distribution map of water response capacity for pineapple. The research results showed that the agricultural area in U Minh Thuong has natural conditions suitable for pineapple cultivation. The size of pineapple cultivation in this area was 4,387.29 ha, the largest in the Vinh Thuan district. The total freshwater reserve in the region varies, where the rainfall is, with the highest volume being 4,546.2 m3/ha (in September 2015) and the lowest 67.7 m3/ha (in March 2016). However, the U Minh Thuong region lacks water in the dry months from January 2016 to April 2016. The amount of water during this period is starved, with watering demand from 2,385 to 2,969 million m3 on the total cultivated area of pineapple. In contrast, the surplus water was quite high in the rainy season, about 2,252 - 27,257 million m3 in Vinh Thuan district in September 2015. The study proposes a solution to store water during the rainy season and use them effectively during the dry season. This solution is compatible with the main pineapple farming habit and model in U Minh Thuong, Kien Giang Province.

Effect of Some Selected Organic Mulches on Flowering, Ripening and Suckering of Pineapple Va. Smooth cayenne

The gains obtained from organic mulching of pineapple farms can never be overemphasized. Despite this fact many developed countries still patronize synthetic mulching due to its efficiency in large pineapple farms. However in developing countries of Africa and Nigeria in particular where small scale pineapple farmers still contribute to the national gross domestic product (GDP), the need for cheaper organic mulching techniques which do not only suppress weed and improve soil fertility but have positive influence on pineapple flowering, ripening and suckering is required. Based on this, a research was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology Owerri to assess the effect of some selected organic mulch types on the maturing trends of Smooth Cayenne pineapple. A 32 factorial fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. Result showed that main effects from mulch rates and mulch types independently had significant influence on days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, the interval between time of first flowering and attainment of 50% flowering, days to ripening, interval from flowering to ripening and number of suckers produced at 50% flowering stage while interaction of mulch rates and mulch types only had significant effect on days to first flowering. This study revealed that the utilized organic mulch materials had tremendous positive influence on flowering, ripening and suckering of Smooth Cayenne pineapple.

A new Soil Management System in Enhancing the Yield of Plantation Using IoT Technique and Machine Learning for Smart Pineapple Farming

The machine learning technique is studied to aid farmers in decision-making and analysing soil quality based on the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium NPK nutrients as the current soil in Malaysia experience degradation of soil organic that affect in production of the nutrient for the crops. The research aim is to study and analyse the Artificial Neural Network model in analysing the quality of soil based on the prediction of NPK level class, which the data collected from Smart Agri-Scan. Next objective is to evaluate the prediction and accuracy of the model. The ANN model is constructed in Neural Net Fitting App in MATLAB. A feedforward neural network is applied to the ANN model and trains it with two different training functions and a different number of neurons of hidden layers. The model with the smallest Mean Square Error is chosen for data analysis as it means the model has the best performance. From the prediction graph, the output of training and validation that corresponds to the prediction model is observed. The points of the output prediction close to the reference line are considered a good prediction model, which means it can analyse soil quality accurately. In future, the model might be able to do the analysis and decision directly at the monitoring platform based on the real-life prediction data.

Comparison of the Happiness Level of Farmers at Suburban Villages with Farmers at Remotes Villages

The study aims to analyze the level of happiness of farmers at two villages The research was conducted at X village, Pare sub-district, Kediri Regency (a suburban village), and Y village, Ngancar district, Kediri Regency (a village far from the city center or rural villages). The two villages have different geographical, topographical, cultural, and central commodities. The number of respondents who have been taken is 50 people in each village, so the total is 100. Data were collected by interview using a questionnaire, in-depth discussion, and documentation. The data analysis is descriptive quantitative analysis and the average difference test (unpaired t-test). The results showed that the happiness of farmers in remote areas, who grew pineapples on mountain slopes was higher than food crops farmers in lower plains and on the outskirts of cities with urban infrastructure. Of the 20 indicators of happiness, 18 indicators score significantly higher in farmers who are far from cities, live in the mountains, and grow pineapples. Only two indicators have the same score (i.e., optimism in achieving life goals and satisfaction with religious activities). Life satisfaction, feelings, and meaning of life for farmers remotes villages that live on mountain slopes, pineapple farmers feel more satisfied.

The cost-benefit analysis and constraints of pineapple production in Bangladesh

The main purpose of the study was to estimate the profitability of pineapple production in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar District. Structured questionnaires and face to face interviews were done to collect raw data from 100 pineapple farmers during harvesting season. These farmers were chosen using a multi-stage sampling approach. Net return analysis, Benefit-Cost Ratio, and Kruskal-Wallis One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the prepared data. Findings from net return analysis showed that pineapple production was a profitable activity in the study area. The total cost of production was Tk. 740,767 and the total return was also substantial, resulting in a net return of Tk. 501,445 for pineapple production. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) was 1.48, indicating that pineapple farming was profitable for the farmers. However, the study also discovered several constraints perceived by the farmers that hindered pineapple production. These constraints included issues like animal damage, lack of credit availability, natural calamities, labor supply shortages, expensive fertilizer, inadequate storage facilities, and poor seed quality. By mitigating these constraints, pineapple productivity may rise not just in the study area but also in other regions of Bangladesh where the fruit is grown intensively. Thus, this improvement could significantly contribute to the well-being of farmers and enhance their disposable income.

Sustainable Technology Adoption as a Source of Competitive Advantage for Pineapple Production in Ejigbo, Nigeria

Adopting new technology as a strategic resource can result in a competitive edge in any market. However, a competitive advantage cannot be acquired in the production of horticultural goods without first embracing the practices that are inextricably linked to those goods. This paper investigates the adoption of farm practices in conjunction with technology transferred to farmers. Some research debates on competitive advantages have identified both resources and processes of production as sources of competitive advantage. The emphasis on the resource-based view and dynamic capability view stipulates that firms acquire competitiveness via internal resources and capabilities. However, there has not been much empirical exploration of horticultural production sustainability in this regard despite its sufficiently outstanding contribution to the gross domestic product in developing and developed economies. It specifically discusses how Technology Adoption Practices (TAP) could lead to a competitive advantage in horticulture with particular reference to the production of pineapple fruit in Ejigbo, Nigeria. From the angle of professional practice; the study provides an insight into how farmers strive to suggest solutions to practical challenges faced within the production process. Therefore, it is essential to have practices in place for the adoption of sustainable technology. The outcomes of the study generate two different storylines and demonstrate that attributing factors as well as reinforcing capabilities both boost competitiveness at the farm level and enhance the farmers’ desire for farming pineapples. Pineapple farmers in Ejigbo employ a differentiation approach to gain a competitive advantage in their agro-farming industry. This could lead to an increase in the volume of fresh pineapple products that are exported.

Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in Empowering Pineapple Farmers

The pineapple commodity is a local product for some residents in West Java, especially in Sarireja Village. This potential needs special attention to maintain local agricultural products. However, the pineapple fruit yields in the Sarireja area were not able to enter the market optimally due to constraints on yields that were less than optimal. Through the assistance of the Kampung Nanasku corporate social responsibility program by promoting the principle of the Tripple Bottom Line, the Kampung Nanasku program is aimed at strengthening the sustainability of the lives of pineapple farmers. The results of this program have been able to provide empowerment to the community in the form of processed pineapple which has added selling value, utilization of pineapple agricultural waste in the form of pineapple leaves which are also used as natural fiber cloth, pineapple skin waste which is integrated with the needs of breeders namely to become feed silage, and pineapple waste rotten to POC.

DIVERSIFICATION OF PINEAPPLE WASTE THROUGH ECO-ENZYME DOING TRAINING AT THE “QUEEN” PINEAPPLE FARMER GROUP KEDIRI

Kediri is the largest honey pineapple-producing area in East Java, so it has pineapple farmer groups. The honey pineapple farmer group called "Queens" is one of the pineapple farmer groups in Kediri that creates processed pineapple products such as fresh pineapple fruit, peeled pineapple, and pineapple drink. However, the group is facing an issue of pineapple skin waste that has yet to be utilized. Therefore, expanding pineapple products by using fruit and pineapple skin waste is crucial. One way to do this is by making eco-enzymes. The method used in this activity is a group-based activity method, carried out jointly between the activity team and the pineapple queens farmer group, starting from the planning, implementation, and mentoring to the monitoring and evaluation stages. Community service activities for the "Queens" pineapple farmer group have succeeded in making eco-enzymes from pineapple skin waste. Based on the results of the activity, this activity was able to increase the knowledge of the "Queens" pineapple farmer group, where 100% of the partners already knew the benefits of eco-enzymes and knew the tools and materials, and procedures used in making eco-enzymes from pineapple peels. This activity was also able to improve the skills of the partners of the "Queens" pineapple farmer group, where partners were able to make eco-enzymes from pineapple peel waste very well, starting from preparing tools and materials, mixing ingredients, to packaging eco-enzymes