FAO.org

In view of the market failures and the state failures inherent in providing agricultural extension, community-based approaches, which involve farmers‘ groups, have gained increasing importance in recent years as a ―third way‖ to provide this service. The paper discusses the conceptual underpinnings of community-based extension approaches, highlights theoretical and practical [...]

Les dix champs-écoles pilotes installés au Kasaï occidental en 2003 ont permis aux paysans membres d’expérimenter de nouveaux modes de gestion des cultures, et, leurs résultats ont été jugés satisfaisants. L’originalité et la simplicité des procédés utilisés favorisent, non seulement une meilleure appropriation des innovations, mais aussi une participation active [...]

Climate information is available from two main sources: meteorological seasonal climate forecasts (SCFs) and indigenous knowledge-based seasonal forecasts (IKFs). This information can help farmers and pastoralists manage their crops and livestock to minimize risks during unfavourable seasons and maximize opportunities during favourable conditions. However, exploring the synergies between these two sources of [...]

This research aims to explore the effect of the integrated pest management farmer field school (IPMFFS) on farmers’ knowledge, farmers groups’ ability, and process of adoption and diffusion of IPM in Jember District, Indonesia. The population of the research was 556 groups of farmers, with 22.240 farmers who are engaged [...]

Diálogo, interacción y aprendizaje son procesos dinámicos en el marco de desarrollo de capacidades. En este contexto, la colaboración entre actores múltiples juega un rol clave y, si bien su aplicación en la región es aún reciente, ya está en curso. Solo nos queda emprender un verdadero ejercicio de colaboración [...]

This paper aims to ascertain why farmers are not accessing information and where information gaps exist, despite the variety of extension approaches in India. Using information provision and access as the basis for analysis, the paper reviews some of the major agricultural extension programs in India by considering their ability [...]

"Lessons from the field" provides an overview of experiences from 12 projects and programmes across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Each case addresses an aspect of climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk management and food security in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. The documented experiences range [...]

In recent years, IPM extension came to mean FFS (farmer field school). Most studies of FFS pilot projects suggest that IPM helps farmers to lower costs or to increase yields, although the farmers pass on little of their new knowledge to their neighbours, which limits the cost-effectiveness of FFS. Some [...]