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Abstract
The main goal of this project was to develop improved financial management tools for the individual farmer and to establish a basis for better advisory services. The assessment phase examines the present situation: What are the farmer's financial management requirements, and how do the available tools meet these needs? Interviews with selected farmers revealed that many of them have been keeping their finances in good order through the use of simple tools such as bank statements, tax accounting and experience. Opportunities to discuss financial questions and receive comments on or analysis of their accounts were areas in which many felt their needs were not met. Farm management tools should provide an overview, create a foundation based on standard principles, provide explanatory comments and stimulate the farmer's involvement. In the project's development phase, management tools were developed on the basis of these guidelines. These new tools will be tested in the time ahead.