Developments and Innovations in Farmer Field Schools and the Training of Trainers

Abstract

Since Farmer Field Schools (FFS) were first originated in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 1989, many innovations have occurred and changes to the basic theme have been developed. FFS started out as a way to facilitate learning of integrated pest management (IPM) concepts and techniques by Indonesian farmers. The Indonesian National IPM Program first applied the FFS approach on a broad scale for rice farmers, and technical assistance provided by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) among others were key to the success of this program. FFS were subsequently adapted for other crops such as legumes, fruits, vegetables, and tuber crops, and other technical and social themes such as integrated crop management, community forestry, livestock, water conservation, HIV/AIDS, literacy, advocacy and democracy (CIP-UPWARD 2003). Central to the success of FFS programs is appropriate IPM and methodological training of the people who organize and facilitate the field schools. To be a successful FFS trainer/facilitator, one must have skills in managing participatory, discovery-based learning as well as technical knowledge of agro-ecology to guide the group's learning and action process. Without an adequate Training of Trainers (ToT) program, the subsequent FFS program will fall far short of its potential. This chapter focuses on a range of developments and innovations in FFS in recent years, with particular attention to IPM FFS and ToT. Promising innovations and new directions in other types of FFS will also be highlighted.