Lessons Learnt from Application of Farmer Field School Approach for Dissemination of Technologies to Seed Potato Farmers in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Farmer Field School Approach in disseminating technologies for improving Farmers’ knowledge and adoption of cultivation practices related to seed potato cultivations in Sri Lanka. The stratified purposive sampling technique was performed to select 40 seed potato farmers who participated in FFS programs (FFS group) and another 40 farmers who were not attended the same (NFFS Group) living in 5 Agricultural Instructor (AI) ranges in the Kandy district in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional field survey was administrated using pretested questionnaire followed by focus group discussions to collect primary data on socio-economic status, knowledge and adoption level, yield and cost of production, etc., and also farmers’ attitude towards the FFS approach on 5 dimensions (Effectiveness, Efficiency, Relevance, Impact, Sustainability). The qualitative parameters of the above were measured using 5 points Likert scales and developing indexes and applying descriptive analysis, hypothesis testing, and inferential analysis using the Ordered Logistic Regression model to measure variables and explain the relationship among the tested parameters using SPSS statistical package.
 A significant difference was observed between FFS and NFFS seed potato growers in terms of knowledge, field practices adoption, land productivity, and production cost. The Ordered Logistic Regression model findings reveal that the model as a whole fit significantly at a 95% confidence level. Pseudo R square expresses that 26.75 % proportion of the variance in adoption level significantly improved the recommended potato cultivation practices as explained by seven independent variables (Education at 2 levels, Experience, Index of Social Participation, Group dynamic, Satisfaction, and Sustainability). Hence, this study proved that the Farmer Field School approach is effective as an agricultural innovation and dissemination platform in all dimensions for significantly improving farmers’ Knowledge and adoption level of cultivation practices leading to increased productivity and profitability.