The Socio -Economic Effects of Commercial Pineapple Farming On Farm Employees and Communities in The Awutu-Effutu-Senya District

Abstract

This project attempts to identify the implications of commercial pineapple farming in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District for farm workers and communities. Primary data were gathered using questionnaires, interviews as well as observations made in the farms and communities. Secondary data sources included published and unpublished official documents, new papers and the Internet. The report concludes that although pineapple farms offer employment opportunities for both citizens and migrant youth, most farmers tended not to make the welfare needs of employees a priority. Both farmers and communities in the area stand to benefit substantially from each other if farmers go beyond their usual obligations and respond to the social needs of those settlements. Suggested approaches to ensuring maximization of mutual benefits centre on the improvement of working conditions so as to achieve high worker productivity, strengthening of farmer-community relationship and taking communal initiatives. Specific recommendations include the initiation of a human resource development programme for farm management and workers, improved employee-management communication and the formation of a pineapple growers’ association (to team-up with relevant stakeholders) to meet prioritised social needs of communities.