Date: Wednesday 14 February 2018

Time: 9.00-10.30 EST (UTC/GMT -5)

FAO’s Strategic Programme 2 (SP2) identified the Global Farmer Field School Platform as one of its global knowledge products over the 2018-19 biennium. 

The seminar on February 14th 2018 launching the global FFS platform, with interventions from key stakeholders inside and outside FAO, was organized for colleagues both inside and outside of FAO to learn about the FS platform and its potential to support their work. Topics such as strenghtening FS impact, linking regional networks and building partnerships will be presented and discussed.

The event will be webcast here.

Learning together, working together

In 1989, FAO pioneered the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approach on integrated pest management in rice production in Asia. Since then, FFS have been established in over 90 countries. They offer farmers the possibility to strengthen their skills in many different areas: from livestock to horticultural production, and from beekeeping to business management. FFS use hands-on, experiential learning that integrates scientific and indigenous knowledge to promote sustainable agriculture approaches adapted to local contexts.

In 2017, FAO set up theGlobal FFS Platform– in collaboration with over 15 external organizations – to connect the growing network of practitioners and organizations using FFS worldwide. The aim of the platform is to strengthen the quality of FFS by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise and innovation among its users. It also serves as a gateway to identify the impact, achievements and current challenges in FFS. The platform includes:

• a library of more than 300 FFS resources,
• online profiles of FFS experts, and
• a global email discussion group with over 900 practitioners from 100 countries.

The Global FFS Platform will be launched on 14 February 2018 by the Strategic Programme on Sustainable Agriculture (SP2) and the Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP). All colleagues are invited to join the event, and to learn more about FAO’s work on Farmer Field Schools and the Global Platform. A marketplace will showcase different FFS activities, offering the possibility to network with a variety of stakeholders and collaborators of Farmer Field Schools.