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Assessment of Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Pineapple Production Practices

Abstract

Pineapple is an important fruit crop that contributes to household income, food production, employment, and agricultural diversification. Its commercial value and demand for fresh consumption and processing make it an important crop for many farmers. However, the productivity and quality of pineapple may be affected by farmers’ use of traditional or inappropriate production practices. Assessing farmers’ adoption of improved production practices is therefore important for understanding the extent to which recommended technologies are being applied and identifying areas that may require additional agricultural support. This study will assess farmers’ adoption of improved pineapple production practices. It will determine the level of adoption of recommended pineapple production practices and identify the major practices adopted by farmers. The study will also examine farmers’ sources of information and their exposure to agricultural extension services, training programmes, demonstrations, and other forms of technical support. The study will focus on farmers’ adoption of improved planting materials, site selection, land preparation, appropriate planting methods, recommended spacing, soil fertility management, fertilizer application, weed control, mulching, moisture management, pest and disease management, field sanitation, sucker management, harvesting, sorting, and post-harvest handling. It will also consider farmers’ access to extension agents, agricultural information, improved inputs, training programmes, and practical demonstrations relating to pineapple production. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from pineapple farmers using structured questionnaires designed to obtain information on their adoption of improved production practices, sources of agricultural information, and access to extension services. The data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, adoption index or adoption level assessment, frequency distributions, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to determine factors associated with farmers’ adoption of improved pineapple production practices. The study is expected to reveal varying levels of adoption of improved pineapple production practices among farmers. Farmers with greater access to extension services, training, practical demonstrations, improved inputs, and reliable agricultural information may demonstrate higher adoption of recommended production practices. The study may also identify constraints such as inadequate extension contact, limited access to improved planting materials, high input costs, insufficient technical information, and financial limitations that may affect adoption. The study will be useful to pineapple farmers, agricultural extension agents, horticultural organisations, agricultural development agencies, research institutions, policymakers, non-governmental organisations, farmer associations, and other stakeholders involved in fruit production. It may provide useful information for identifying adoption gaps and strengthening agricultural extension and training programmes. The findings may also assist agricultural organisations in designing interventions that improve farmers’ access to improved technologies, production inputs, and technical information. The study concludes that adoption of improved pineapple production practices is important for enhancing crop performance, fruit quality, and farm productivity. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies strengthen farmer training, field demonstrations, advisory visits, and dissemination of information on improved pineapple production practices. Farmers should also be supported with timely access to quality planting materials, appropriate inputs, and production technologies to encourage wider adoption and improve pineapple production outcomes.

Keywords: Farmers’ adoption, pineapple production, improved production practices, pineapple farmers, fruit production, agricultural extension, adoption of technologies, planting materials, soil fertility management, fertilizer application, weed management, pest management, disease management, farmer training, farm productivity.