What is a farm record? Importance and Types for Nigerian Students

What is a farm record? Importance and Types for Nigerian Students

Let’s be honest, Agricultural Science is one of the easiest subjects to pass in WAEC if you know the definitions by heart. But many students fail Section A because they confuse “Farm Records” with “Farm Accounts.” They are not the same thing.

If you are preparing for your Junior WAEC (BECE) or Senior Secondary exams, pay close attention. This topic is almost always in the objective questions.

Simply put, what is a farm record? It is the documentation of everything that happens on a farm. Think of it like your school report card; without it, nobody knows if you are actually learning or just wearing a uniform to school.

Meaning of Farm Records

Farm records are written documents that show major activities and transactions happening on a farm over a period of time. This includes everything from the number of yam tubers harvested to the amount of money spent on fertilizer.

I always tell my students to view farm records as the “memory bank” of the farm. The human brain is forgetful. A farmer might forget how many bags of poultry feed he bought last month, but a written record will never lie.

If a farmer does not keep records, he is merely guessing. You can read more about the general principles of farm management and record-keeping on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) website, which sets global standards for these definitions.

Importance of Keeping Farm Records

The main importance of keeping farm records is to determine the profit or loss made by the farm at the end of a farming season. Without this, farming is just a hobby, not a business.

In Nigeria, banks do not listen to stories; they listen to paper evidence. Here is why you must take this seriously:

• Profit and Loss Determination: It helps the farmer calculate if the money coming in (income) is higher than the money going out (expenditure).

• Access to Loans: Banks and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) require proof of serious farming before granting loans. Your records are that proof.

• Tax Assessment: It helps to determine the correct amount of tax a farmer should pay to the government, preventing over-taxation.

• Management Decisions: It helps the farmer decide whether to reduce the number of workers or change the type of feed being used.

• Audit Purposes: In case of death, the records help the farmer’s family understand the value of the farm assets.

Think of it like the “Iya Basira” notebook. If the woman selling rice at the junction loses the book where she writes down who owes her money, her business will collapse. That book is her survival.

Types of Farm Records

There are several specific types of records a farmer must keep to monitor different aspects of the agribusiness. In your exam, you might be asked to list four or five. Do not just list them; you must know what each one contains.

• Farm Diary: This is a daily record of events on the farm. If a goat gives birth today, it goes into the diary. If a tractor breaks down, it goes into the diary. It is the “day-to-day” logbook.

• Farm Inventory: This is a list of all assets and property owned by the farm at a specific time. This includes land, buildings, tools, and livestock. It is usually taken at the beginning and end of the year.

• Input Records: This tracks everything brought into the farm for production, such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal feed.

• Production Records: This shows the yield or output of the farm. For example, the number of eggs collected daily or the crates of tomatoes harvested.

• Consumption Records: This is very common in Nigeria. It records the farm produce consumed by the farmer and his family. If you eat two chickens from your poultry, you must write it down, or your profit calculation will be wrong.

• Sales Records: This records all produce sold and the cash received.

• Payroll or Labour Records: This shows the amount of money paid to workers, their attendance, and their wages.

Qualities of a Good Farm Record

A good farm record must be accurate, up-to-date, and written in simple language that is easy to understand.

Writing records is useless if nobody can read them. When I mark scripts, I look for these three keywords:

1. Accuracy: The numbers must be correct.

2. Timeliness: Entries must be made immediately after the event occurs.

3. Completeness: No detail should be hidden.

Challenges in Farm Record Keeping

This section often separates the ‘A’ students from the ‘C’ students. In Nigeria, many farmers still struggle with this. Why?

The biggest issue is illiteracy. Many local farmers cannot read or write, making it difficult to maintain a standard Farm Diary. Also, there is a fear of taxation. Some farmers believe that if they write down their true profits, the government will come for a larger share of their money. This fear keeps them poor because, without records, they cannot get bank loans to expand.

Conclusion

To get your full marks in WAEC or NECO, remember to state the definition clearly first. Do not beat around the bush.

A farm record is not just paperwork; it is the heartbeat of any successful agribusiness. Whether it is a small vegetable garden in your backyard or a large cassava plantation, write it down.

Good luck with your study. Read this over twice, and you will be ready for that exam.