Growing onions: Part 3

Some people are reluctant to be accountable for their actions. Yet accountability is an essential part of human relations, whether in private or in business. It’s one of the many factors that contribute to better interaction and understanding between people.

KEY TO FRESH PRODUCE TRADING

Unsurprisingly, accountability is a crucial component of the relationships that drive the world of fresh produce, in particular between farmer and agent, between agent and buyer, and between retailer and consumer.

Accountability is also a two-way street. Both parties have to accept and practise accountability for their actions, their services and the goods they offer for sale. When a market agent negotiates a deal with a buyer, for example, he or she is accountable to both the buyer and the farmer.

The agent should deal with the farmer in an open and honest way, providing true, verifiable information. Sometimes that information, especially about quality or price, might not be agreeable to the farmer, but it is the agent’s responsibility to ensure that the farmer gets to hear it. A good farmer, in turn, will accept that the quality of the merchandise, for example, is not up to par and see what can be done to improve matters.

When the agent negotiates with the buyer, the focus will be on the delivery of the goods purchased, quality and price negotiated. The agent is accountable to the buyer for the correctness of these actions.

ACCOUNTABLITY AT ALL LEVELS

Accountability stretches beyond the market floor. It includes market management and other role players. Their accountability involves services and infrastructure. It requires them to manage markets in the best way possible, and provide reliable services such as cold stores, ripening chambers and computer systems. – Michael Cordes Cordes is an agricultural journalist, consultant, trainer and former farmer. Email him at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za. Subject line: Market floor.

A FARMER SHOULD BE READY TO ACCEPT CRITICISM AND RECTIFY PROBLEMS