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The results of 86 replicated experiments on soybean (Glycine max) cultivation practices in eight provinces ± planned, conducted and analysed by farmers ± were examined to identify local differences in the effects of cultural practices on yield, and to explore the potential for farmers to improve their practices. Plant spacing [...]

The ecological guides are technical reference manuals. They give background information and refer to exercises/studies that can be done in the field during training of trainers (TOT), farmers field schools (FFS) and action research to better understand a topic. The information in the guides is not specific for one country. [...]

The ecological guides are technical reference manuals. They give background information and refer to exercises/studies that can be done in the field during training of trainers (TOT), farmers field schools (FFS) and action research to better understand a topic. The information in the guides is not specific for one country. [...]

This article is a review of the implementation of Rice IPM in Tropical Asia,

Farmer field schools (FFS) and local agricultural research committees (CIALs) are participatory platforms for improving decision-making capacity and stimulating local innovation for sustainable agriculture. CIALs are a permanent agricultural research service staffed by a team of four or more volunteer farmers elected by the community. The committees create a link [...]

In many popular intervention methodologies aimed at stimulating sustainable rural development (in the widest possible sense) the idea of ‘participation’ is a leading principle. This article will demonstrate that the process in which actors are supposed to participate is often thought of as being a process of planning, decision‐making and/or [...]

Ecologically sound agriculture is not just a question of changing farm practices. It also requires a transformation of a coherent system of learning, its facilitation, institutions and policies. The paper describes the transformation involved on the basis of some country experiences.

The limitations of conventional methods of training and information provision on natural enemies are discussed. Farmer and popular understanding and perceptions about natural enemies are described. Lessons drawn and limitations encountered in traditional research and extension ‘top-down’ educational activities are examined and some of the more promising approaches are described. [...]

The article discusses the role of women in agriculture in Vietnam and focuses on the participation of women farmers in the IPM Farmer Field School (FFS). The article is based on the findings of a study " Women and IPM in Vietnam" carried out in 1994 by the Hanoi based [...]