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\hypersetup{pdftitle={Functional Relationship Between Pineapple Farmers and Fruit Processors in the Akuapim South District of Ghana},pdfauthor={Kwabena Amoateng Frimpong},pdfsubject={Tropentag 2016: Abstract},pdfkeywords={Contract farming, functional relationship, Kendall's coefficient of concordance},pdfpagemode=None,colorlinks=true}
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\parbox[b]{13.4cm}{\centering \large{\textbf{Tropentag, September 18-21, 2016, Vienna, Austria}}\\[1ex] \Large{``Solidarity in a competing world ---\\fair use of resources''\\[2ex]}}
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\Large{\textbf{Functional Relationship Between Pineapple Farmers and Fruit Processors in the Akuapim South District of Ghana\footnote{\textbf{Contact Address:} Kwabena Amoateng Frimpong, Esoko Ghana Limited, Ghana team, P. O. Box An15675 Accra-North, 00233~Accra, Ghana, \mbox{e-mail}: \email{ziggles02@yahoo.com}}\\[0.8ex]}}
\normalsize{\textsc{Kwabena Amoateng Frimpong}}
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\begin{itemize*}
\item[]{\small{\textit{Esoko Ghana Limited, Ghana team, Ghana}}}
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\index[author]{Frimpong, Kwabena Amoateng}
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\textbf{Abstract}
\begin{abstract}
\normalsize{
Ghana is one important supplier of pineapple to the European market. The model that proves efficient, and mostly practised in the Akuapim South District is contract farming between pineapple farmers and fruit processors. However, contract farming also suffers from certain systematic moral hazard problems; defaults on contract agreements by both producers and processors are often reported. This work therefore sought to find out the working relationship that exists between pineapple farmers and fruit processors in the district. To achieve the objective, this study identified the distribution pathways of pineapples and estimated the percentage volume moving through each pathway. Also, it described the nature of contracts that exists between the pineapple farmers and fruit processors. The proportion of pineapple that is supplied by pineapple farmers to fruit processors and the other marketing channels was also ascertained. The study also identified and ranked constraints that existed between pineapple farmers and fruit processors before and after entering into a contract.











Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis. Schematic diagram was presented to show the distribution channels and their corresponding percentage volume along the each identified channel. The `t' test was used to test for the statistical difference between volume of pineapples supplied to processors, and the other marketing channels. The Kendall's coefficient of concordance was used to test for the agreement in the rankings of constraints done by the pineapple farmers and processors.







The study results indicated that, pineapple farmers used processors (\mbox{92.25\,\%}), wholesalers (\mbox{4.82\,\%}), and retailers (\mbox{2.93\,\%}) as distribution pathways. A written agreement bonds both parties and the terms of contract are the same for all pineapple farmers except the time of delivery and volumes of pineapples. Rejection of fruits is the major constraint of farmers and that of processors is poor fruit quality.







A strong working relationship exists between farmers and fruit processors. More farmers are encouraged to have a contract with processors for guaranteed market. Training on agronomic practices is recommended to overcome the problem of rejects and poor fruit quality.     



}

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\noindent \textbf{Keywords:} Contract farming, functional relationship, Kendall's coefficient of concordance
\index[key]{Contract farming}
\index[key]{Functional relationship}
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