Farmers’ Field School (FFS)

Definition; Farmers’ Field School (FFS) is a group-based learning process that helps farmers make better decisions by observing, experimenting, and analyzing farming practices in their own fields. It emphasizes “learning by doing”.

History & Origin

• Initiated in 1989 in Indonesia by FAO under the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme in rice.
• It was a response to the heavy use of chemical pesticides and pest outbreaks in Asia.
• The approach spread across Asia, Africa, and Latin America as a participatory extension tool.

Objectives of FFS

1. To enable farmers to understand the ecology of their fields (e.g., pest–natural enemy balance).
2. To build capacity for decision-making in crop management.
3. To reduce dependency on external inputs (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers).
4. To promote sustainable agriculture through IPM, INM, IWM, etc.
5. To strengthen farmers’ groups and organizations.

Key Features

• Season-long training: FFS usually runs for a full crop season (10–16 weeks).
• Farmer-led: Facilitators guide but do not lecture; farmers conduct experiments.
• Group size: Normally 20–25 farmers.
• Learning methods: Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA), field observations, group discussions, drawings, role plays.
• Core principle: “The field is the classroom and the crop is the teacher.”

Process / Methodology

1. Group formation of interested farmers.
2. Regular meetings (weekly) in the farmer’s field.
3. Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA): farmers observe crop growth, pests, diseases, soil, and record data.
4. Group discussion & decision-making on crop management practices.
5. Special topics & hands-on experiments (e.g., bio-control, soil health).
6. Season-long comparison trials (e.g., IPM vs. chemical control).
7. Graduation at the end of the season with strengthened farmer capacity.

Advantages of FFS

• Empowers farmers with knowledge & decision-making skills.
• Promotes eco-friendly practices (IPM, INM).
• Reduces overuse of pesticides & fertilizers.
• Strengthens community participation & farmer networks.
• Builds farmer-to-farmer extension capacity.

Examples in India

• 1994: FFS introduced in India under National IPM Programme (Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, Faridabad).
• 2005 onwards: FFS adopted under National Food Security Mission (NFSM), ATMA, and National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET).
• Example: FFS on cotton IPM in Maharashtra helped reduce pesticide sprays from 20–25 to 7–8 per season.

Fact File (for exam point of view)

• Initiated: 1989, Indonesia, FAO.
• First used: Rice IPM.
• Entry in India: 1994 under National IPM Programme.
• Core tool: Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA).
• Group size: 20–25 farmers.
• Duration: One crop season.
• Motto: “Field is the classroom, crop is the teacher.”