FFS (Farmer Field School) is a practical approach for IPM (Integrated Past Management). It is a good way for introducing modern farming techniques in the community. It is a research-based approach. An average group of farmers get together under the supervision of an organizer and discuss the problems in hand. It involves farmers at every step. The farmers get a chance to think out solutions of their own problems. The learning is far better if practical, experimental and research based techniques are used.
The farmers are trained to make good observations. At FFS they are taught the whole scientific method. They are taught to make and record observations, identify the problem if there is any, doing tests and finally evaluating all the possible solutions. By means of field schools farmers can be made self-sustainable in dealing with small agricultural or veterinary problems.
Publishing literature for the farmers has not proved to be beneficial. The most probable reason is illiteracy among the farmers. What they need is the most practical approach. They need technical knowledge. At a field school, farmers improve their observational skills. They learn to make regular observations to identify problems. It is said, “Nip the evil in the bud.”
When the farmers are well trained, they can identify a new disease and inform the authorities to look into the matter. In this way foreign diseases (such as Banana Bunchy Virus, Avian flu, etc that have already caused economic loss) can be anticipated before the disaster overtakes the whole country.
Field schools develop a relationship between the farmers, officers and research institutions. Farmers gain confidence and easily contact the relevant research institutions if the problems is beyond their understanding, they can inform the institutions of their observations and, thus, appropriate personnel can be assigned to deal with the problem.
FFS teaches the farmers how to do brainstorming. They learn how to discuss the problems. They also learn to keep records of past observations. They are able to talk to other farmers, learn from their mistakes and take steps for improving their own crop. The farmers can adopt existing techniques and can also adopt new ones.
The FFSs already working world wide, have shown long lasting effects. They have brought farmers out of the static state of mind. They have inculcated the habit of continued learning among farmers. It strengthens their social and political skills. It can prompt local activities among them. They build up strong work relationships among the farming community. Farmers are introduced to the modern day technological programmes. They cultivate a desire in their hearts to make their children contribute to the field of technology. This will certainly promote education.
They learn to tackle diseases in the right manner, thus reducing the produce loss. The net yield will increase, thus improving the financial condition of the farming community.
At FFS (like the ones that also took place in Pakistan), farmers are taught the use of LLC (Leaf Color Charts) technique. In this way they can avoid unnecessary usage of nitrogen fertilizers, thus saving capital. Therefore yield is optimized. The loss due to use of traditional techniques damage to ecosystems and toxicity due to pesticides is also avoided. Bio pesticides can easily be introduced.
Farmers learn to tackle marketing issues, learn to increase their income by various possible ways, thus alleviating poverty.
The anti-technology propaganda needs to be dealt with an iron hand. The only way to do so is to develop the understanding of science and technology among farmers. They should not be deprived of the modern means of improving their yield. While considering the latest technology the fact that “Something is good until it is used in the right manner” should be kept in mind. Unapproved hybrid seeds have caused great damage to agriculture and in the recent years. One such example is the introduction of “Cotton Leaf Curls Virus” due to the plantation of unapproved seeds in Burewala (A city of Pakistan).
A regulatory mechanism is needed for the use of technological product. This mechanism needs to be closely associated with farmers. This association can be achieved by conducting farmer field schools.
The cost problem for conducting field schools is important. Our country is an agricultural country (Pakistan). The progress of agriculture nad live stock is national concern. NGO's should be encouraged to assist in conducting FFS.
The cost can be reduced by assigning senior university/college students on internships in FFS as conductors of programs instead of highly qualified professionals. This will reduce the cost incurred on organizers as well as give the students a chance to gain practical experience in their field.
FFS surely is a golden chance for the farming community to come at power with the advanced countries by improving their skills and technical knowledge.
