ANNUAL CROPS

Planting records are detailed documents that capture all essential information related to the establishment of annual crops on a farm.

These records are a key component of farm management, enabling farmers to track activities, evaluate performance, and make informed decisions for future seasons.

Good planting records also support traceability, accountability, and compliance with agricultural standards or certifications.

Importance of Planting Records

• Planning and Management: Helps in planning future planting schedules and estimating input requirements.
• Performance Evaluation: Allows comparison of yields and practices over time to determine what works best.
• Cost Tracking: Assists in calculating production costs and profitability.
• Pest and Disease Management: Helps identify patterns and times when problems occur.
• Traceability: Essential for certified or commercial farming, particularly for export markets.
• Compliance: Required by agricultural authorities or buyers for audit and verification purposes.

Key Components of Planting Records

a) Crop Information

Ø  Name of the crop (e.g., maize, beans, tomatoes)

Ø  Variety or hybrid name

Ø  Seed source and certification status

Ø  Date of planting

b) Field Information

Ø  Plot/field name or number

Ø  Size of the field (in hectares or acres)

Ø  Soil type and condition

Ø  Previous crop grown (crop rotation tracking)

c) Planting Details

Ø  Planting method used (e.g., broadcasting, drilling, transplanting)

Ø  Spacing used (row-to-row and plant-to-plant)

Ø  Plant population or seeding rate

Ø  Depth of planting

d) Input Usage

Ø  Type and quantity of seeds planted

Ø  Fertilizers applied (type, rate, date of application)

Ø  Pesticides/herbicides used (type, rate, application dates)

Ø  Type of organic inputs (manure, compost)

e) Labor Records

Ø  Number of laborers involved in planting

Ø  Tasks performed (e.g., land preparation, planting, watering)

Ø  Cost of labor (wages, days worked)

f) Irrigation and Water Management

Ø  Type of irrigation used (manual, drip, sprinkler)

Ø  Dates and frequency of watering

Ø  Water source

g) Weather Conditions

Ø  Rainfall patterns during planting period

Ø  Temperature conditions

Ø  Any abnormal weather events (drought, floods)

h) Challenges Faced

Ø  Pest or disease incidence during planting

Ø  Equipment failures or delays

Ø  Seedling mortality rate

Format/Structure of a Planting Record (Sample Template)

Field Name	Crop	Variety	Date Planted	Area (ha)	Seed Rate	Method	Fertilizers Used	Labor Cost	Notes
Plot A	Maize	DK 8031	15/03/2025	1.0	25 kg/ha	Drilling	DAP 100 kg/ha	Ksh 2,000	Good rains

 

Tools for Keeping Planting Records

Ø  Manual Record Books or Logbooks

Ø  Spreadsheets (Excel)

Ø  Farm Management Software (e.g., FarmLogs, AgriWebb)

Ø  Mobile Apps for Smallholder Farmers (e.g., AgriBuddy, Plantix)

 

 

Best Practices in Record Keeping

• Keep records updated regularly (preferably daily or weekly).
• Be accurate and detailed, even for small activities.
• Store records in a safe and accessible place.
• Review records periodically to guide decisions.
• Train farm workers on the importance of records.