ABSTRACT
In the last decade most of the agricultural production styles were not supported by public sources, so growers now have to compete in a global market. This trend is also valid for MAP production. The days of farming as a way of life are rapidly disappearing, and growers have to be aware of market demands. They also need to be well versed in preparing financial statements, forward planning, and making key management decisions. In this situation, growers must be business people first and growers second. As commodity prices continue to fall or level out, there is a great need for cost control to make as much profit as possible. So, a grower needs to know not only how to cultivate his crops but also how to manage his farm. At present, a new revolution is occurring in agriculture-the management revolution. Changes in agricultural technology, communications, transportation, management methods, data handling, human abilities, and the size and nature of farm-related industries have set the stage for this new era. A discussion of the role and functions of management in a changing and complex environment needs to begin with a definition of farm management. Perhaps a dictionary definition of management will provide a starting point. Following is one such definition:
Management: The human factor within a production process which delimits problems, accumulates information relevant to their solution, analyzes that information, reaches decisions, acts on those decisions, and bears responsibility for the consequences of those actions (Herren and Donahue, 1990).
