FARMER FIELD SCHOOL INTRODUCTION ORIGIN AND GOALS PRACTICES

FARMER FIELD SCHOOL INTRODUCTION ORIGIN AND GOALS PRACTICES

INTRODUCTON TO FFS • Group based learning process. • Adopted by NGOs, national and international agencies. • Firstly initiated for Integrated Pest Management(IPM). • To reduce or lessen use of insecticides.

ORIGIN • First time started in 1989 in Indonesia by FAO. • Farmers were trained to help themselves. • At time of its completion it has been carried out in 12 countries. • In Pakistan it was started in 1999 in Vehari district of Punjab.

ORIGIN (cont…) • It was to much difficulties faced in training of farmers. • At beginning only ten groups were trained. • Farmers didn’t know even about beneficial and harmful insects. • It was started by dept. of Agri. Extension with the help of ADB and CABI Bioscience.

PRACTICES • Its first aim was to train the farmers to put IPM in field. • To reduce use of insecticides and pesticides. • To get max. yield and to improve quality. • To train the farmers to take care of their farms themselves. • Above all to improve their living standard by increasing their livelihood.

PRACTICES (cont…. ) • In IPM method insects were controlled Bio chemically and by Agro-Ecological system. • Firstly it was practised on cotton crop. • Their was also less use of fertilizers. • It is a practical and experiential method in which farmers come to know by comparing the fields or plots under practice.

FFS STARTED IN 14 DISTRICTS Cotton & Wheat DGK, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Vehari Mango R. Y. Khan, Multan Citrus T. T. Singh, Sargodha Vegetable Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi 7

PHILOSOPHY & CONCEPT OF FFS 1. Self discovery learning through participatory approach 2. Agro-Eco-System Analyses (AESA) 3. Discussion and preparation of charts by groups 4. Presentation of findings by each group leader 5. Open discussion and decision making for operations during next week 8

WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF MASTER TRAINER Monday Field learning of Trainee Facilitators (Technical aspects and FFS methodology) Tuesday Discussion about first day learning and its reinforcement in the class room Wednesday FFS by Trainee Facilitators-Random inspection by MT Thursday Feed back and discussion regarding issues observed in the third day FFS by Trainee facilitators Friday FFS by Trainee Facilitators ---Random inspection by MT Saturday Feed back and discussion regarding issues observed in the fifteen day FFS by trainee facilitators Sunday Holiday 9

WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF TRAINED FACILITATORS Monday Review session with Master Trainer Tuesday FFS-1 Wednesday Preparation day Thursday FFS-2 Friday Preparation day Saturday FFS-3 Sunday Holiday 10