Project:

International Potato Institute and CARE, Pilot Projec

Year:

1999-2000

Crop:

Potato

Level:

Self-evaluation by a project

Scope:

Immediate impact of training

Objective:

Impact of pilot FFS training on farmer knowledge about potato crop management

Methods:

1. Tool: Semi-structured questionnaires
2. Design: Latitudinal comparison between FFS and non-FFS farmers, conducted 1 season after training
3. Parameters: Knowledge about late-blight management; economic benefits
4. Sample size: 35 FFS graduates; 35 non-participants from communities without FFS; 20 non-participants from communities with an FFS; 15 farmers who received conventional training

Results:

1. FFS training increased knowledge about the principles of late-blight management. Immediately after training, farmers had significantly more knowledge then those trained with conventional methods or than non-participants.
2. Doubling of net economic benefits from $2500 for non-participants to $5000 for FFS graduates. Accordingly, a high recovery rate of project costs was reported.

Comments:

Details on selection of FFS graduates and other comparison groups, and details on benefits, are not known

Conclusion:

The FFS model was found to increase farmer knowledge necessary for the management of late blight, and to increase farmer income. But locally appropriate training methodology needs to be further developed.

Source:

1. G. Thiele, R. Nelson, O. Ortiz & S. Sherwood (2001) Participatory research and training: Ten lessons from the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in the Andes. Currents, 27, 4-11.
2. R. Torrez, J. Tenorio, C. Valencia, R. Orrego, O. Ortiz, R. Nelson & G. Thiele (1999) Implementing IPM for late blight in the Andes. Pp 91-99, in: Impact on a changing world. Program Report 1997-98. Lima, CIP.
3. Related study: E. Godtland, E. Sadoulet, A. de Janvry, R. Murgai & O. Ortiz (2003) The impact of Farmer-Field-Schools on knowledge and productivity: A study of potato farmers in the Peruvian Andes. Unpublished report.

Project:

IPPM FFS Project

Year:

2003

Crop:

Tomato, cabbage, onion

Level:

Self-evaluation by a project

Scope:

Immediate impact of training

Objective:

To study the merit of IPPM in vegetables

Methods:

1. Tool: Field data obtained during FFS training
2. Design: Direct latitudinal comparison between small field plots with IPPM (integrated pest and production management) and farmer practice treatments during Farmer Field School training; one block at each field school.
3. Parameters: Yield, pesticide use
4. Sample size: small (6 FFS for tomato, 4 FFS for cabbage, 1 FFS for onion)

Results:

1. Field data obtained during FFS training suggest a yield increase of 19% for tomato, 42% for cabbage and 19% for onion (Table A-4).
2. Chemical insecticides were reduced from 3-4 applications per crop in the farmer practice treatment to zero in the IPPM treatments, but botanicals (mostly neem) were used in the latter treatment.

Comments:

1. Results were obtained during training; thus, they do not show whether IPM had been adopted by farmers.
2. The sample is very small.

Conclusion:

This preliminary result demonstrated the potential to reduce reliance on chemical insecticides in vegetables while increasing yield.

Source:

Souleymane Nacro (2003). Unpublished data.

Countries:

Indonesia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand

Project:

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Year:

1997

Crop:

Various

Level:

External evaluation

Scope:

Immediate impact of training

Objective:

Determine success factors in five IPM-extension approaches

Methods:

1. Tool: Secondary information; discussions with and feedback from projects
2. Design: Qualitative study to extract success factors from five projects; success was defined in terms of acceptance by clients, efficiency, broad impact, sustainability, and adaptability.
3. Sample size: 1 example for each approach

Results:

1. The study ascribed a number of success factors to the FFS that make it more promising than hierarchical approaches:
2. The FFS provides farmers with skills to make their own informed decisions, and promotes local program ownership.
3. Hands-on training enhances farmers’ analytical and communication skills and promotes local experimentation.
4. A broad impact has been demonstrated through a replicable training model, farmer-to-farmer extension and a group approach.
5. The relationship between facilitator and participants is horizontal and collegial.
6. An emphasis on training of facilitators has increased competence and motivation of program staff.
7. The study concluded i.a. that, to be successful, extension on complex issues should abstain from simple boiled-down messages because these would take away local problem-solving ability and thus farmers’ responsiveness to local and dynamic conditions, drawing on lessons from the past.

Conclusion:

Based on the preset definition of success, the FFS approach contains the main ingredients necessary for successful extension on complex issues such as IPM.

Source:

P. Schmidt, J. Stiefel & M Hürlimann (1997) Extension of complex issues: Success factors in Integrated Pest Management. Swiss Center for Agricultural Extension, Lindau, Switzerland.

Project:

IPPM FFS Project

Year:

2002

Crop:

Various

Level:

Self-evaluation by a project

Scope:

Immediate impact of training

Objective:

To evaluate the benefit of training

Methods:

1. Tool: Structured questionnaires
2. Design: FFS farmers were interviewed over the period 1999-2002
3. Parameters: Yield, risk, profit, skills
4. Sample size: 400 farmers

Results:

Respondents overwhelmingly felt that the FFS had increased their skills, profits, and yields, and had reduced risks (Table A-5).

Comments:

The multiple-choice questions rely on the general feeling of respondents, which may overstate or understate reality.

Conclusion:

This is an example of a simple and quick evaluation using scores. The study indicated that participants generally considered the FFS useful.

Source:

K.S. Godrick & W.K. Richard (2003) Farmer field school feedback: a case of IPPM FFS programme in Kenya. Draft project report.