Institutionalizing Field Schools in Eastern Africa - GCP/SFE/002/SWI

FAO

Institutionalizing Field Schools in Eastern Africa - GCP/SFE/002/SWI

Copyright licence

Year of publication 2019

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 2p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Category Factsheet

Edition 1

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Synopsis (short abstract) The nature of challenges faced by smallholder farmers and pastoralists in Eastern Africa today necessitates a high level of coordinated action and cooperation, if they are to gain voice and access markets for their products. Against this background, the Field School (FS) approach has emerged as a tool to address current gaps and needs in the agricultural sector in a holistic manner. Despite the positive impacts being reported on food security and livelihood improvement, as well as the progress made towards institutionalization in some countries, FS impact assessments and reviews have repeatedly pointed out a large number of challenges and barriers to FS expansion, which are jeopardizing the scale-up of the approach. The project aimed to build synergies and complement existing initiatives in the region, in order to use FS to address livelihood concerns among rural poor, and to link directly into these initiatives within the broader FS community.

Language English

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Institutionalization of Field Schools (FS) in Extension Curricula of Institutions of Higher Learning in Eastern Africa - TCP/SFE/3701 2021

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The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach was developed by FAO and partners as an alternative to the prevailing top-down extension method. The approach promotes farm-based experimentation, group organization and local decision-making. Countries have expressed strong interest in integrating FS into their national policies, strategies and programmes. Considering the expansion of FS in terms of both numbers and geographic scale, concerns have emerged about how best to ensure a minimum level of quality of FS programmes while maintaining the required flexibility. A Global FFS Review, conducted in 2012 by FAO, identified the steps and conditions required to set up strong and sustainable FFS programmes, including the need for institutionalization to harness quality FS through standardized guidelines and harmonized implementation procedures. Although FS are widespread in the Eastern Africa region, the mainstreaming of the approach within national extension systems varies widely and the integration of FS knowledge in mainstream Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) is minimal. As a result, extension graduates lack the level of FS expertise required in the field. This is exacerbated by the fact that policy-making regarding the integration of FS in IHLs cuts across multiple ministries, in particular, ministries of education, which govern colleges and universities, and ministries of agriculture, which host the majority of FS expertise and knowledge in the field. The project aimed to bridge this gap between ministries and IHLs in order to enhance harmonized, systematic capacity-building for future cadres of FS actors.
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The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach has been very successful and witnessed a strong expansion in many areas beyond crop production. Notwithstanding this success, the adoption of FFS in national extension often remains problematic and FFS activities have often been implemented in the margin of national institutions with strong reliance on donor funding. The creation of an enabling environment for institutional support is essential for expanding the effort, improving quality, and strengthening impact and continuity of the FFSs. This paper aims to analyse opportunities, challenges and implications of institutionalizing FFS at the national level.
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This document, Part 3: Farmer Field School one-curriculum, is a crucial component of the standardized curriculum package designed for the Climate-smart Farmer Field School (FFS) initiative in Jordan. Launched under the “Building resilience to cope with climate change in Jordan through improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector" (BRCCJ) project, this initiative aims to empower smallholder farmers to improve water use efficiency and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. The comprehensive curriculum consists of six distinct parts, providing a structured framework for disseminating climate-smart agriculture (CSA) knowledge and technologies through participatory learning and capacity development, enabling smallholder farmers to make informed decisions and implement sustainable agricultural practices. Part 3 outlines the fundamental concepts and methods of the Climate-smart Farmer Field School, aligning with the FAO Farmer Field School Guidance Document. By promoting a "learning by doing" methodology, it empowers farmers to build climate resilience and contribute to enhanced food security, sustainable agricultural production, and improved livelihoods. The CS-FFS one-curriculum aims to achieve several key objectives: enhance the effectiveness of Farmer Field School implementation, fostering continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving agricultural challenges; improve the CS-FFS methodology, aligning it with the latest climate-smart technologies and best practices; and standardize CS-FFS implementation to ensure consistency and quality across diverse regions and production systems. This resource serves as a practical guide for both farmers and facilitators involved in the FFS modules, offering a pathway towards a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector in Jordan by fostering participatory learning, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of climate-smart technologies.