A Farmer Field School (FFS) is a season-long training activity that takes place in the field. It is season-long so that it covers all the different developmental stages of the crop and their related management practices. The training process is always learner-centered, participatory and relying on an experiential learning approach. The basic elements of an … Read more
An FFS is a season-long training for a number of reasons: Each stage of the crop has different pest problems. This makes it necessary to spread the training over at least one entire season, covering all stages of the crop. Each stage of the crop has different requirements (water, fertilizer, mulching, weeding, thinning, pruning, etc.). … Read more
When a group of farmers has been selected to start an FFS the first step is to organize an introductory meeting. During this meeting the facilitators and farmers get to know each other and start exchanging information: Introduce the concept of IPM Explain the training process: It will be a style of training they have … Read more
Facilitating an FFS means you have to prepare yourself in advance for each session. If more than one facilitators are running the FFS together, they should meet before each session for preparing and dividing responsibilities: Prepare the program for the next FFS session Planning for routine activities Prepare for the next AESA Make a summary … Read more
A typical FFS session will take 3 to 4 hours and will have the following schedule: Introduction Summarize what was done last week and present today’s program Field visit / Field observations IPM plot FP plot Field experiments Collect data Collect samples Start analyzing the field situation. The facilitators observe the field together with the … Read more
The health of a plant is determined by its environment. This environment includes physical factors (i.e. sun, rain, wind and soil nutrients) and biological factors (i.e. pests, diseases and weeds). All these factors can play a role in the balance which exists between herbivore insects and their natural enemies. If we understand the whole system … Read more
The following methodology was used in IPM training where the participants were learning to do an AESA in rice. For other crops, the approach could be slightly different, but the basics are the same. Go to the field in groups (about 5 farmers per group). Walk across the field and choose 10 plants randomly. Observe … Read more
The type of training that takes place in a Farmer Field School is often referred to as “non-formal adult education”. What is the difference between formal and non-formal education? Formal Education* Non-formal Education Teacher Teacher is the center of instruction Information ‘push’ (teacher decides what trainees are being taught) Teacher is responsible to deliver contents … Read more
Participatory training aims at increasing communication and sharing of knowledge between participants. The seating arrangement in the FFS is important. An FFS is never a classroom style training. Instead we work in small groups or we use a U-shape seating arrangement that allows everybody to participate in the discussions. Classroom style 🙁 Small groups 🙂 … Read more
Role of a facilitator Facilitators require good facilitation skills to make the sessions interactive, interesting and enjoyable. Prepare for the FFS sessions Prepare materials, visual supports, etc. See and use learning opportunities Stimulate thinking Stimulate interaction between farmers Stimulate experimentation Guide the learning process Create a good learning environment Manage effective discussions Good habits Smile … Read more
