FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS AND FARMER EMPOWERMENT

Abstract

The Farmer Field School approach was developed in the late 1980’s in Asia. The FFS approach provides a platform for farmers to strengthen their knowledge and field management decision skills through a process of hands-on field-based learning. The FFS also enhances group collaboration. The FFS strengthens ecological understanding to make informed decisions examines through experimentation and exchange of experience, building on local knowledge systems as well as on knowledge generated outside rural communities. FFS groups often engage in follow-up activities, to further develop agricultural activities and improve livelihoods. Since the 1990’s the approach has been spread to other regions. It is now being used for farmer education for a diversified range of topics in different socio-economic settings. A Global Review on FFS conducted by FAO in 2012 underlined again the importance of the quality of education in a FFS to enable farmer empowerment. Pakistan has use FFS approaches for different topics in the last 15 years. FAO’s programme in Balochistan (funded by USAID and AusAID) starts with Community Organizing to identify potential for agricultural development in 14 districts in Balochistan. These Community Organizations assess the potential to access markets for their products. FFSs are organized for farmers to gain the necessary knowledge and skills that will allow for better access to markets, while ensuring sustainable production approaches.