Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa
Many extension education approaches have been tried in Eastern and Southern Africa with varying degrees of success. Extension approaches that contribute to the reduction of poverty in this region are needed. One important model right now is farmer field schools (FFS), based on adult education princi...
| Autores principales: | , , |
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| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
New Prairie Press
2007
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| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/171908 |
| _version_ | 1855518339715039232 |
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| author | Anandajayasekeram, P. Davis, Kristin E. Workneh, Sinidu |
| author_browse | Anandajayasekeram, P. Davis, Kristin E. Workneh, Sinidu |
| author_facet | Anandajayasekeram, P. Davis, Kristin E. Workneh, Sinidu |
| author_sort | Anandajayasekeram, P. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Many extension education approaches have been tried in Eastern and Southern Africa with varying degrees of success. Extension approaches that contribute to the reduction of poverty in this region are needed. One important model right now is farmer field schools (FFS), based on adult education principles such as experiential learning. Farmer field schools are usually an intensive, season-long program where farmers meet weekly to learn and experiment on a given topic. Using document analysis, key informant and group interviews, and personal observation, this paper reviews the FFS philosophy, history, and experiences of applying FFS methodology in the region. It discusses whether FFS could be an alternative to existing extension systems in Eastern and Southern Africa. The paper concludes that FFS are not an alternative to existing systems, but that certain principles of FFS could be picked up and incorporated into various systems, including agricultural extension, research, and even health, to make them more effective at reaching small and marginalized farmers and in alleviating poverty and food insecurity. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace171908 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2007 |
| publishDateRange | 2007 |
| publishDateSort | 2007 |
| publisher | New Prairie Press |
| publisherStr | New Prairie Press |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1719082025-01-29T12:58:58Z Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa Anandajayasekeram, P. Davis, Kristin E. Workneh, Sinidu poverty reduction development farmer field schools education extension sustainability Many extension education approaches have been tried in Eastern and Southern Africa with varying degrees of success. Extension approaches that contribute to the reduction of poverty in this region are needed. One important model right now is farmer field schools (FFS), based on adult education principles such as experiential learning. Farmer field schools are usually an intensive, season-long program where farmers meet weekly to learn and experiment on a given topic. Using document analysis, key informant and group interviews, and personal observation, this paper reviews the FFS philosophy, history, and experiences of applying FFS methodology in the region. It discusses whether FFS could be an alternative to existing extension systems in Eastern and Southern Africa. The paper concludes that FFS are not an alternative to existing systems, but that certain principles of FFS could be picked up and incorporated into various systems, including agricultural extension, research, and even health, to make them more effective at reaching small and marginalized farmers and in alleviating poverty and food insecurity. 2007 2025-01-29T12:58:58Z 2025-01-29T12:58:58Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/171908 en Limited Access New Prairie Press Anandajayasekeram, P.; Davis, Kristin E.; Workneh, Sinidu. 2007. Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education 14(1): 81-93. https://doi.org/10.5191/jiaee.2007.14107 |
| spellingShingle | poverty reduction development farmer field schools education extension sustainability Anandajayasekeram, P. Davis, Kristin E. Workneh, Sinidu Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa |
| title | Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa |
| title_full | Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa |
| title_fullStr | Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa |
| title_short | Farmer field schools: an alternative to existing extension systems? experience from Eastern and Southern Africa |
| title_sort | farmer field schools an alternative to existing extension systems experience from eastern and southern africa |
| topic | poverty reduction development farmer field schools education extension sustainability |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/171908 |
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