FAO.org

In recent years, IPM extension came to mean FFS (farmer field school). Most studies of FFS pilot projects suggest that IPM helps farmers to lower costs or to increase yields, although the farmers pass on little of their new knowledge to their neighbours, which limits the cost-effectiveness of FFS. Some [...]

This chapter explores intensive hands-on occupational education for farmers in selected European, African, Latin American countries and in south India. An Indian case study of Farmer Field Schools for Integrated Pest and Production Management (IPPM) to ensure food security and livelihood improvement is presented, to introduce discussion of the role [...]

I use an autobiographical approach to tell the story of innovation and its changing fortunes and uses. I have lived through the major approaches and perspectives in the past 50 years and have played some role in them myself. The paper starts off with my early days with the [...]

The paper addresses the public sector’s role in agricultural extension. The first part of the paper subtitled ‘Extension in Transition’ reviews the ideological and technological changes that have occurred since the 1980s and stresses the importance of educating producers and establishing a climate where they begin to organize themselves for [...]

This Guidance Document describes the purpose, methodology and procedure of impact assessment of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It explains the methodology of econometric impact assessment studies, notably the “double delta” approach, which is also referred to as difference-in-difference. Special attention is given to the study [...]

The complex and dynamic nature of environmental problems requires flexible and transparent decision-making that embraces a diversity of knowledges and values. For this reason, stakeholder participation in environmental decision-making has been increasingly sought and embedded into national and international policy. Although many benefits have been claimed for participation, disillusionment has [...]