11.1 Essential Farm Record Systems

Qualification Level: TESDA NC I – Sustainable Plantation Management
Crop Focus: Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.)
Objective: Maintain accurate, organized records to support traceability, compliance, and decision-making in Agarwood farming

I. INTRODUCTION

Effective record-keeping is the backbone of a sustainable and profitable Agarwood plantation.
Farm records provide historical data, help monitor tree health and growth, and ensure regulatory compliance and market readiness.

Key Principle: Record-keeping should be systematic, consistent, and easy to use for farmers.

II. TYPES OF ESSENTIAL FARM RECORDS

1. Tree Inventory and Mapping

  • Tree ID number, species, age, and location
  • Plantation layout map (GPS or manual)
  • Notes on tree health, canopy size, and root development

2. Soil and Irrigation Records

  • Soil test results (pH, NPK, organic matter)
  • Irrigation schedule (dates, method, water volume)
  • Soil amendments applied (biofertilizers, compost, organic inputs)

3. Fertilization and Biofertilizer Records

  • Product name, type, and source
  • Dose applied, application date, and method
  • Responsible personnel
  • Notes on tree response or growth improvements

4. Inoculation Records

  • Inoculation method (hole, syringe, paste, frill, agar plug)
  • Fungal strain or inoculant type
  • Date and dose applied
  • Tree ID and location
  • Post-inoculation monitoring observations

5. Pest and Disease Records

  • Pest or disease type, severity, and location
  • Control measures applied (organic pesticides, biofertilizers, cultural practices)
  • Dates and responsible personnel
  • Outcome and follow-up actions

6. Harvest and Resin Records

  • Tree ID and batch number
  • Harvest date and method
  • Resin quantity, grade, and quality notes
  • Post-harvest care applied to tree
  • Buyer information and sales records

7. Storage and Transport Records

  • Resin or wood batch ID, storage location, and conditions
  • Transport details (date, route, vehicle, personnel)
  • Condition upon arrival and inspection notes

8. Financial and Operational Records

  • Input costs (fertilizers, inoculants, tools)
  • Labor and operational costs
  • Revenue from resin sales or timber
  • Investment and maintenance tracking

III. RECORD FORMAT & TOOLS

  1. Field logbooks / notebooks – Simple, low-cost option
  2. Templates / forms – Pre-printed sheets for each record type (tree, soil, inoculation, harvest)
  3. Digital tools – Excel, Google Sheets, or farm management apps
  4. Labeling systems – Tree tags, batch numbers, QR codes for traceability

IV. BEST PRACTICES

  • Standardize units (cm, liters, kg, % coverage)
  • Keep records current and legible
  • Assign responsibility for data entry and verification
  • Conduct periodic review to analyze trends and make decisions
  • Integrate traceability, quality control, and compliance into the record system

V. TESDA NC I PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Learner must demonstrate ability to:

  • Maintain complete records for trees, inputs, inoculation, pest control, harvest, storage, and sales
  • Use standardized formats and measurement units
  • Analyze farm records to support management decisions
  • Ensure records meet traceability and regulatory requirements

VI. FARMER-FRIENDLY CHECKLIST

☐ Each tree has unique ID and mapped location
☐ Soil, irrigation, and fertilization records updated regularly
☐ Inoculation and post-care logs maintained
☐ Pest and disease management records recorded
☐ Harvest and resin quality documented
☐ Storage and transport conditions logged
☐ Financial and operational data maintained for cost-benefit analysis
☐ Records periodically reviewed to guide farm management


Key Takeaway: Maintaining essential farm records ensures traceability, regulatory compliance, and data-driven decision-making, supporting sustainable Agarwood production and profitable farm operations.