Pineapple Growers Research Articles

Comparative Profitability of Conventional and Chemical Free Pineapple Production in Madhupur Upazila of Tangail District

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative profitability of nonadopters and adopters, as well as the factors influencing the adoption of chemical-free pineapple production technology at Madhupur Upazila Tangail district. Data were collected by interviewing 50 randomly selected pineapple producers of Haludiya, Baniabari and Aushnara villages of Madhupur Upazila in Tangail during July to September 2019. For comparing the profitability of chemical-free and conventional pineapple farming, two groups of pineapple growers were chosen: non-adopters and adopters. Farmers were chosen from two groups using a purposive sampling strategy.Collected data were analyzed with undiscounted BCR and logistic regression analysis. Per acre total cost were estimated Tk. 16,5477 and Tk.16,4285.66, respectively for non-adopters and adopters of chemical free pineapple production. The per acre gross returns of pineapple were determined in this study at Tk. 31,7995.2 for non-adopters and Tk. 40,2986 for adopters of chemical-free pineapple producing technology. Gross margin per acre was estimated Tk. 16,1518.2 for non-adopters and Tk. 24,6700.35for adopters, respectively. Thus, the net return per acre were Tk. 15,2518.2 for non-adopters and Tk. 23,8700.34 for adopters of chemical free technology of pineapple production. The undiscounted Benefit Cost Ratio on the basis of total cost was 1.92 for non-adopters implying that Tk. 1.92 would be earned by investing every Tk. 1.00 in conventional pineapple production and BCR was estimated 2.45 for adopters implying that Tk. 2.45 would be earned by investing every Tk. 1.00 in chemical free pineapple production. Binary Logit regression estimate suggest that ethnicity and gross margin had a substantial impact on the adoption of this chemical-free technology. The majority of the farmers had a relatively good attitude toward chemical-free pineapple cultivation, according to the results. Extension agents must increase their contact with farmers in order to effectively disseminate information about chemical-free pineapple farming. Overall, it can be summarized that this paper has found that total costs of production is higher for conventional pineapple growers; however, gross return is higher for the chemical-free pineapple growers. This implies that chemical-free pineapple is profitable in contrast to conventional pineapple, which has further been proved the undiscounted BCR.

Marketing Channel Selection by Pineapple Smallholder Growers in Samarahan, Sarawak

The surging demand of pineapple creates opportunities for smallholder growers in maximising their income. However, the pineapple is a type of fruit that is very perishable in nature, thus it requires immediate sale to consumers for them to get the best quality of the fruit. Moreover, its commodity price also depends on its quality on the shelves. In this respect, it is important for the smallholders to decide for the best marketing channel to distribute their farm produce to get maximum profit. This study was conducted to investigate the preferred pineapple marketing channel among smallholder pineapple growers in Samarahan, Sarawak. Questionnaires were distributed to 123 respondents and the data was analyze using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 22. The findings show that the most popular marketing channel is farmer’s market.

Challenges in marketing channel selection by smallholder pineapple growers in Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

Pineapples are very perishable and require an immediate sale to consumers. This has triggered the local growers to market their produce and rely on the middleman. Thus, this present study was conducted to identify the challenges that affect the marketing channel selection of smallholder pineapple growers in Samarahan, Sarawak. The primary data used for this study were collected from 123 smallholder pineapple growers using simple random sampling method with a well-structured close-ended questionnaire via face-toface survey. The descriptive analysis was used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of the pineapple growers meanwhile exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal component analysis approach with orthogonal rotation (varimax) was used to reduce data to a smaller set of summary variables and to identify the structure of the relationship between the variables and the respondents. The findings revealed that five main challenges have caused pineapple growers to carefully select the marketing channel in marketing their produce namely; lack of market information; inefficient transportation; price volatility; market distance; and product perishability. Inadequate marketing information about supply and demand markets, potential buyers, bargaining, and negotiation have caused concerned for the pineapple growers to take the risk in marketing their produce to various customers. Lack of transportation facility and high transportation cost has caused the pineapple growers to sell their produce at the farm gate to reduce losses during the distribution channel. Moreover, the unstable pineapple price has created a risk to the growers due to its negative effect on farm income stability. Besides, the distance between farms and marketplace has significantly affected marketable surplus of pineapple fruits thus resorts to the growers to rely on the middleman to market their produce. Conclusively, all the challenges highlighted in this study should be given adequate attention by the relevant agencies to improve and continue their effective roles in the pineapple market and to enhance farmers’ livelihoods. This can be achieved by strengthening the fruit supply chain management, adopting comprehensive approaches such as policies, programs and strategies pertaining to the marketing of pineapple fruits that require a collective effort and commitment from the public and private sectors.

Socio-Economic Status of Pineapple Growers in Moulvibazar District of Bangladesh

Socio-economic indicators are significant for determining the overall lifestyle of the Pineapple Growers. The study examines the different socio-economic variables of the pineapple farmers. The researchers selected the Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar district purposively and primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire during 2017-2018 cropping season from one hundred pineapple growers (small, medium and large) following simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics include frequency, sum, average, percentage and ratios were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that majority of the farmers were in small (44 percent) and medium (30 percent) categories and average farm size was 2.130 ha. Most of the pineapple growers were middle aged (31-40 years old) while a little portion of them were older aged (greater than 60 years). It was found that 81 percent of the respondents were married in the study area. In addition, almost all farmers (95 percent) were literate and more than sixty percent of them had primary education. Averagely, a family consists five members and above three members are dependent to their family in the study areas. Majority of the respondents had 11-20 years of farming experience and the primary occupation of them (91 percent) was agriculture including pineapple cultivation. Moreover, a significant portion of farmers received training from government agricultural extension office whereas around one sixth of pineapple farmers received credit from both public and private banks as well as from NGOs. However, Extension office need to provide more and effective training facilities to the pineapple farmers for profitable production, simplification of buying, selling, renting and leasing of land to reduce production cost as well as different incentive packages can be introduced by the government for encouraging unemployed youth people to engage in pineapple production.

Quest for the Profitability and Sustainability of Tea And Pine Apple Plantation in Unorganized Sectors of Assam, India

Country like India is mostly dependent upon the agriculture produce as even in the twenty-first-century agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. The main challenge for any activity is to know whether it is going to survive. This study focuses on determining the profitability and sustainability of tea and pineapple growers. Both the plantation grows well in the studied region. The researcher used a structured questionnaire for collecting data from the growers. Cost-Benefit Ratio, Profit volume, break-even point, Margin of safety, and profit is ascertained in the study. In both the plantation the results show the CBR is greater than one, which implies it is economically feasible. The total cost of planting tea in one acre of land is Rs 189505. Whereas the total cost pineapple plantation is Rs 49600. The average total revenue that planters generate from sales proceeds of tea is Rs 400925 and for pineapple is Rs 287000 from one acre of land. The tea planters are earning a net profit of Rs 211420 and pineapple planters are earning a net profit of Rs 237400. It can be said that the growers earn a fairly good sum of money. None of the pineapple growers are using any kind of fertilizer or chemicals which make them organic and healthy to consume. Both tea and pineapple Plantation can generate good revenue and are feasible investment decisions to take on, among the two pineapples is generating more revenue than tea.

Profitability of fertilizer use in pineapple production in Benin

With a contribution of 4.3% to agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) behind cashew (7.4%) and cotton (25%), pineapple has become the third export crop in Benin. However, its yields are still below the potential. Sub-optimal potassium/nitrogen (K/N) ratio in fertilizer use is leading to low fruit quality and limited market outreach. Therefore, an experimental research project was implemented to determine an optimal fertilizer usepractice. This paper compares the profitability of the best experimental fertilizer use practice with that of farmers’ practices using relevant indicators. Experimental and socioeconomic data were collected from 89 randomly selected pineapple growers among 5381 growers in Ze district. The findings revealed that fertilizer use had a positive marginal effect on pineapple production with both practices. Most importantly, the experimental practice was 2-3 times more profitable than farmers’ fertilizer use practice and could be recommended. The rate of pineapple’s response to fertilizer almost doubled from 13.42 kg fruit/kg fertilizer with farmers’ practices to 23.07 kg fruit/kg fertilizer with the experimental practice. While the profit rate of pineapple production was almost the same (86%) without fertilizer use in both practices, it rather increased more than 2-fold with the experimental practice, reaching 290% against 121% with farmers’ practices. Fertilizer use therefore enabled pineapple production profitability to increase from 39% with farmers’ practices to 238% with the experimental practice. This practice doubled the marginal effect of fertilizer use and doubled the classic value/cost ratio. However, farmers cannot yet harvest the promised gold as only 1% among them presently apply that high-dose best practice. Labour availability and costs for fractioning the optimum dose over the crop’s growing cycle remains a challenge. Further, pineapple’s high perishability is another challenge which calls for building strong value chains to enable growers readily direct their harvests to more rewarding markets. Further research is still needed to factor those constraints’ alleviation into determining the “real” or affordably relevant optimal doses of fertilizer on pineapple in poor farming settings as the Ze district of Benin. Growers’ perceptions on innovative practices and their own financing strategies will be critical to foster the adoption of improved fertilizer use technologies and boost agricultural productivity in Benin. In the meantime, access to credit and offfarm activities are likely to enable a larger adoption of the optimal dose. Key words: fertilizer use, pineapple production practices, adoption, marginal profit, value-cost ratio, poverty reduction

Crop Based Livelihood Activities of Pineapple Growers and Constraints in its Cultivation: A Study in North Eastern Himalayan Region, India

Crop Based Livelihood Activities of Pineapple Growers and Constraints in its Cultivation: A Study in North Eastern Himalayan Region, India

New innovations in ‘Queen’ pineapple production in South Africa

Pineapple cultivation in South Africa has been growing to an industry where 95% of the local fresh market is supplied by the ‘Queen’ pineapple growers. Increasing production costs and relatively low consumer consumption (less than 1.6 kg fruit capita‑1 year(‑1)) have forced the farmers to farm smarter and maximize production inputs. Close collaboration with pineapple researchers has led to improved as well as new practices. The collaboration involved the diagnostic service project of the Hluhluwe Research Station, the bi-annual block competition amongst farmers and the pineapple growers study group. The diagnostic services offered by the Hluhluwe Research Station is an initiative to improve ‘Queen’ pineapple production by identifying problem areas. Results of the service are used to understand the population dynamics of the pests subjected to the cultivation practices applied by each grower. Nematodes, and in particular the lesion nematode (Pratylenchus brachyurus), and mealybug (Dismycoccus brevipes) are considered major pests in ‘Queen’ pineapple production. The effect of the factors influencing pest control strategies are evaluated for each farmer and control strategies are optimized. The most important aim of the bi-annual block competition is to stimulate innovation by exploring new concepts on a specific aspect of cultivation. These innovative ideas are then refined in a research project or certain research aspects will be tested in a project and can then be optimized in a block competition. By multiplying specific trial concepts on the farms of the study group members, results can be compared and the influence of factors such as soil type, crop history and topography can be established in a relatively short period.

FACTORS INFLUENCING MALAYSIAN PINEAPPLE SMALLHOLDERS INTENTION TO ADOPT MYGAP AND MPIB ROLES TO INSPIRE THE GROWERS TO OBTAIN MYGAP CERTIFICATION

Purpose of the study: The study aims to identify the factors influencing growers’ intention to adopt MyGAP and MPIB roles and to inspire the pineapple growers to obtain MyGAP certificate.
 Methodology: Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 52 pineapple smallholder respondents in the study area. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regressions were conducted using IMB SPSS version 23.
 Main Findings and Novelty: The results of this study show that the three factors influencing pineapple smallholders’ intention to adopt MyGAP are training, attitude and barriers. The odd ratios show growers who received training are four times more likely to adopt MyGAP.
 Applications of this study: MPIB has to conduct more training in order to inspire pineapple growers to obtain MyGAP certification. Meanwhile, the growers also have to change their attitude to accept MyGAP and overcome the perceived barriers for adopting MyGAP.

A comparative profitability of pineapple-mono crop and pineapple intercrops of Modhupur area in Tangail district of Bangladesh

A survey study was conducted to estimate the cost, returns, relative profitability and practices of Pineapple mono-crop and Pineapple inter-crops production in Madhupur area of Tangail District. Data was collected personally through prepared interview schedule from 60 randomly selected Pineapple growers from Ausnara, Oronkhola, Sonia and Motel bazar union under Madhupur Upazila of Tangail District during July to October 2013. A simple random sampling was followed to select the farmers in the study area. Both tabular and statistical analyses were applied in this study. Cost and return analysis showed that total cost incurred for producing Pineapple mono crop, Pineapple+Papaya and Pineapple+Banana+Aroid were Tk.312849.72, Tk.395894.01 and Tk.377013.25 per hectare respectively. Per hectare net return for Pineapple + Papaya and Pineapple + Banana + Aroid production were Tk.492111.00 and Tk.195704.75 which were higher than that of Pineapple mono crop (Tk.157675.28). On the other hand BCR for Pineapple + Papaya and Pineapple + Banana + Aroid production were 2.24 and 1.52 which were higher than that of Pineapple mono crop (1.50). It represents that both pineapple mono-crop and pineapple inter-crops production are profitable among them Pineapple-inter crops cropping pattern is more profitable then Pineapple-mono crop. About 80% of pineapple growers grow papaya, banana, zinger, turmeric and aroids as intercrops with pineapple. The study identified some crucial problems and probable solutions suggested by the farmer. Finally, some policy recommendations were suggested and avenues for further research were shown.
 Asian Australas. J. Food Saf. Secur. 2018, 2(2), 56-64

Sustainable economic analysis and constraints faced by the pinapple growers in Nagaland

The present study was undertaken on sixty farmers during 2009–10 in hilly zone of Dimapur district of Nagaland to examine the economic analysis of pineapple and to assess the resource use efficiency as well as sustainability value indices of pineapple on different farm size groups. The resource use-efficiency on pooled data for pineapple was found to be maximum on human labour (5.388), followed by seed cost (3.458133) and it found to have negative impact on marketing cost (−3.42835) and FYM cost (−3.54689), respectively. It was observed that on pooled data the sustainability value indices was recorded as 0.599, whereas on different farms it was found to be maximum on medium (0.706), followed by small (0.690) and least (0.420) on marginal farm size group. As per the client satisfaction index 46.67 per cent was medium satisfied, followed by 30.00 per cent was low satisfied and remaining 23.33 per cent was highly satisfied with the extension services available presently. It was further observed, on rank based quotient the foremost constraints was lack of warehouse/go down for proper storage, followed by lack of market information, problem of credit facilities, lack of transportation facilities, etc, which indicates that if such situation alter or taken care, there is great potential to enhance the pineapple growers income subsequently global economy through pineapple cultivation in the region.

Osmo Dehydration of Pineapple Fruits: An Overall Review

Application of osmotic dehydration for different fruits has been increased significantly in recent years. Among different fruits, pineapple have characteristic pleasant flavour, distinct aroma and exquisite taste and ranks 6th position in world fruit production and is one of the most suitable fruit used for osmotic dehydration. Osmo dehydration is one of the relatively simple preservation techniques for processing of fruits which does not require any sophisticated equipments. So, the pineapple growers can use such type of technique and can convert pineapples into dehydrated form during the excess production during glut season and to reduce huge post harvest losses. In the osmotic dehydration process, partial dehydration of the fruit pieces is accomplished by dipping in concentrated sugar syrup solution followed by hot air dehydration. It is a useful technique for producing safe, stable, nutritious, tasty, economical and concentrated fruit products. The products prepared from pineapple by osmo-dehydration process remain good up to six months of storage at room temperature. COEX nitrogen package followed by storage at low temperature (7°C ± 1°C) and aluminum pouches maintain the quality of the product for long period.

Pineapple Production Status in Bangladesh

This review paper discussed the area, production, yield and importance of pineapple in Bangladesh. Production of pineapple shows an upward trend in Bangladesh. Total 39583 acres (16025 ha) of land was cultivated with the production of 234493 m tones pineapple in 2009-2010. The highest cultivated area, production and yield was observed in Dhaka division. It is widely cultivated in Tangail, Mymensingh, Gazipur, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Chittagong, Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati districts. Tangail district of Dhaka Division is the pioneer of pineapple production. It covered 49% of total pineapple cultivated land and 59% of national production. Generally, the ripen pineapple fruit is consumed freshly and used as source of various food items like jam, jelly, pickles in Bangladesh. Recently, pineapple growers and sellers are using some health hazard chemical such as hormone or and preservative to get attractive pineapple round the year. The demand of pineapple for internal consumption and also for export is increasing day by day. Every year a large amount of pineapple damage results due to lack of appropriate storage, transportation and marketing facilities. So, expansion of pineapple cultivation through proper management can improve the socioeconomic conditions of farmers in Bangladesh.

B5-4 Personal Protective Equipment Design and Ergonomic Work Analysis: Protecting Farm Pineapple Growers

Pineapple growing is one of the most aggressive agricultural activities and worker protection is a considerable technical challenge. Previous studies point to the lack of efficacy of personal protective equipment (PPE) usually used by workers to protect themselves against accidents with poisonous animals and punctures by pointed leaves, particularly on harvesting activities. In view of these results, this study proposes a two-phase approach. First, a set of PPEs commonly used by rural workers was experimentally evaluated for its effectiveness in protecting workers against real venomous snake attacks. Four sets of PPEs were tested, including shoes and protective gloves, leggings and over sleeves, each set with three different models. The PPE that passed the real attack tests were then evaluated by a group of workers in real use situations, according to qualitative criteria, including comfort and usability. The results of the experimental evaluation showed that only 5 models were effective in protecting the workers against snake attacks, including one shoe model, two models of leggings and two models of gloves. The usability analysis of these PPE revealed that some of them were considered uncomfortable, not effective and obstructive. The next phase of this study relies on the results of the first phase and aims the conception, design and fabrication of a PPE set for the activity of growing pineapples. To generate the design parameters, it will be used an approach based on ergonomic work analysis and conventional design methods, with an emphasis on the QFD method. It is expected that the new set of PPEs will effectively protect the workers and facilitate, or at least not interfere adversely with task execution.

PEMASARAN BUAH NENAS (KAJIAN STRUKTUR, PERILAKU, DAN PENAMPILAN PASAR) DI DESA KUALU NENAS KECAMATAN TAMBANG KABUPATEN KAMPAR

This study aims to identify marketing channels and market structure pineapple, pineapple analyzing market behavior and analyzing the performance of pineapple fruit market in the village of Kualu Nenas. The data collection method is a survey method. Determination by purposive sampling of respondents and the formula slovin on pineapple growers as much as 33 farmers. Determination of the number of traders, wholesalers and agents agroindustrial determined by census where traders, wholesalers and agents agroindustrial taken based on the accumulation of 33 farmers who sell pineapples to traffickers and agro industry in the village Kualu Nenas, there are 8 traders , 6 wholesalers, and 8 players in the industry. Descriptive analysis of data on the market structure and concentration ratio harfindahl index (HI), for the behavior of markets analyzed by correlation and elasticity of the transmission, and the appearance of markets analyzed by the equation margin trading system. The results showed the market structure market share, concentration ratios, and HI traders at 0.5469, 54.69%, and 0.2990, market share, concentration ratios, and HI wholesalers at 0.6878, 68.78%, and 0.4730, and market share, concentration ratios and HI agro-industry amounted to 0.5145, 51.45%, and 0.2647 of its market structure among the three is oligopsony. Market behavior indicates correlation values 0523 and 0515 transmission elasticity analysis. Appearance market views on marketing margin is relatively large and is dominated by the great results and uneven. Apart from it can be seen also from the uneven distribution margin, the share price received by farmers is still relatively low and the ratio of benefits and costs to farmers is still low. In addition, the bargaining power of farmers is weak because prices are determined unilaterally by traders, especially on the channel I and channel II while the third channel is relatively better because of the level of efficiency is lower Keywords : Pineapple , Study Structure, Behavior, And Appearance Market.

Determinants for Contribution of Pineapple Growers for Export Volume in Gampaha District in Sri Lanka

Pineapple is the third largest agricultural product after tea and coconut, which has a demand in export market. Although the nature has blessed with an ideal climate for growing wide range of delicious fruits including pineapple, Sri Lanka is not in a position to meet the growing demand. Therefore, that is very important to study about the export performance of fresh pineapple in Sri Lankan context. The general objective of this study was to identify the determinants of contribution of pineapple growers for export volume in Gampaha district. A structured questionnaire based survey was carried out to collect the data from random sample of 130 pineapple growers in Dompe and Diulapitiya DS divisions in Gampaha district. The result of Tobit model revealed that the contribution of pineapple growers for exports of pineapple was significantly determined by the age of grower, experience of grower, pineapple cultivated land extent, amount supply for local market, domestic price and export price. In the study of specific objectives, there was an upward trend from 1990 to 2004 and trend was declined from 2004 to 2012 with some fluctuations. The reason was that the export of preserved pineapple has shown a significant improvement within last few years and in developing the forecasting model for future forecast and the generalized model for current situation analysis for fresh pineapple exports in Sri Lanka. Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR) was used to develop the forecast model and the generalized model was developed without considering the time factor. The result revealed that the export of fresh pineapple was significantly determined by the average exchange rate and the domestic price.

Study on Marketing System and Value Addition of Pineapple Fruit (Ananus comosus) in West Bengal

This paper has analysed the prevailing marketing systems and activities of value-addition in pineapple fruit (Ananus comosus) using primary data collected from two major pineapple, growing districts of West Bengal during 2010–11. The study has found that raw fruits are marketed domestically and also exported. The measures of marketing efficiency (Shephard: 8.42 and Acharya: 2.42) have suggested that pineapple cultivation is highly remunerative, but marketing of raw fruits is not done properly (a small number of buyers fixing prices with visual inspection). Therefore, price variations at producers’ level are low (CV=8.55%). The producer's share is more than 66 per cent in consumer's price. Out of six marketing channels, two have the complete supply chain mechanism and only one channel is attached contractually with the private processing unit for which information seems to be limited for analysis. The processed products are also exported to the Asian and European countries. The sector has high capacity to provide employment in the rural areas. During lean season, the major demand for pineapple is fulfilled from North-East states, depriving the farmers of West Bengal to take advantage of this sector as reflected in near stagnation of pineapple area (CGR=-1.57%). The paper has suggested formation of pineapple growers’ marketing co-operatives, development of infrastructural facilities (transport and communications), primary markets, storage and handling facilities, subsidization of inputs, etc. Besides, appropriate R&D efforts for up-gradation of technology and quality of raw pineapple fruits in the area are needed to ensure sustainability of the sector and augmenting farm income in the area.

Relationship Dynamics in the Pineapple Supply Chain: Empirical Evidence from the Garo Hills of Meghalaya

Though early research in supply chain management focused mostly on transactional exchange, recent studies have shown a shift in focus from transactional to relational exchange. The research studies in traditional agricultural supply chains also followed a similar pattern. As a result, very little empirical information is available on the factors that affect the quality of the relationship between the supply chain players (partners) in the traditional agriculture supply chains. The focus of early research was mainly on the economics of channels and the structure of social relations within the chain members was somewhat ignored. This research study aims at studying the relationship dynamics in supply chain of pineapple in Garo hills of Meghalaya (India) from a smallholder’s perspective. Although the study began with 270 small growers to identify pineapple supply chains of the study area, the final study (relationship analysis) was limited to 167 small growers who sell to wholesalers. Factor analysis followed by regression analysis was conducted to identify and analyze the principal factors expressing relationships in pineapple supply chain. The study finds that cooperation, trust and a caring attitude from wholesaler influence the satisfaction of smallholder pineapple growers in a positive way. However, power dependence and the opportunistic behaviour of the wholesaler affects the satisfaction of smallholder pineapple farmers in a negative way.

Global GAP Standard Compliance and Smallholder Pineapple Farmers’ Access to Export Markets: Implications for Incomes

This study seeks to determine the effect of compliance with GlobalGAP standards and it implications for access to export market and incomes for smallholder pineapple farmers in the Central region of Ghana. The study was conducted in two pineapple growing districts; Mfantsiman Municipality and Gomoa East district. Primary data were collected through interviews using structured questionnaires. Simple random sampling was used to select 63 pineapple farmers (i.e., 30 Global GAP certified and 33 non-certified farmers from pineapple producer groups in the two districts. Analysis of the marketing channels reveal that market women were the major buyers of pineapple commanding 69.7% of noncertified farmers produce and 30% of the produce of the certified (i.e., compliant) farmers. Although 20% of the certified farmers sold their produce to exporters against 12.1% for non-certified farmers, it cannot be concluded that farmers’ access to the export market has been enhanced by complying with the Global GAP standard. However, all buyers preferred produce from certified farmers to non-certified farmers. On the economic performance of GlobalGAP certified and non-certified pineapple farmers, the empirical results reveal that the Global GAP certified pineapple farmers obtained GHS 15,027.57 for growing one hectare of pineapple while non-certified pineapple farmers made a net average income of GHS 6,256.36. These results imply that the Global GAP certified pineapple farmers obtained 2.4 times more net average income than non-certified pineapple growers. The results of this study have implications for pineapple farmers and policy makers in developing countries.

Technical Efficiency in Intercropped Pineapple Production in Kurunegala District

The objective of the study was to estimate the current level of technical efficiency and to identify the factors affecting technical efficiency of intercropped pineapple production in Kurunegala district. A questionnaire based survey was carried out to collect the data from eighty pineapple growers. The data were analyzed by using the stochastic frontier production function approach. The pineapple production was determined as a function of land extent, plant density, labour, fertilizer, agrochemicals and worth of assets. The land extent, plant density, labour and fertilizer had significant effect on pineapple production in Kurunegala district. The technical inefficiency was regressed as a function of season, age, education, number of family members, land, plant density, ownership, experience, occupation, off farm income and constraint index. The technical efficiency was significantly affected by season, ownership, experience, off farm income and a constraint index. The mean technical efficiency of pineapple production was eighty five percent. The study reveals that there is a possibility, for further increase of productivity. Journal of Food and Agriculture 2010 Vol. 03, No. 1 & 2, Page 50-56 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jfa.v3i1-2.5170