FAO/Deborah Duveskog
Why a Global FFS Platform? FFS are being used in a wide range of different contexts around the world. The platform is a space for sharing knowledge and expertise on Farmer Field Schools. It is a means to connect a global Community of Practice and facilitate partnerships among institutions committed to sustainable farming, education and empowering people. In recent years, several local and regional online networks and exchange mechanisms on FFS have been established. The Global FFS Platform is a means of linking them together as the basis for a worldwide network. A HUB TO SUPPORT QUALITY FFS GLOBALLY News and events News and events regarding FFS around the globe are posted on the platform, highlighting best practices, emerging trends and innovations. The FFS library Over 300 documents (case studies, training manuals, impact assessments, journal articles, videos, pictures, etc.) are available in various languages. Members of the platform can post documents in the library. The global roster of FFS experts Over 250 FFS resource persons from different regions of the world have registered themselves in the global roster of FFS experts, including master trainers, evaluators and project managers. http://www.fao.org/farmer-field-schools FAO/Olivier Asselin
INTERACTING WITH FFS PRACTITIONERS WORLDWIDE The Global FFS discussion group (D-group) is an e-mail group through which the global FFS community can interact. Members share information, knowledge and advice. They are able to discuss and reflect on how to deal with specific challenges. Members include farmer organizations, civil society, policy makers, researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector and government staff. The D-group organizes webinars and facilitates discussions on specific themes related to Field Schools or technical topics. https://dgroups.org/fao/fieldschools FAO/Solomon Nega
Currently, the D-group has over 900 members from around the world. FAO, 2018 FAO/Widyastama Cahyana
FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS What are Farmer Field Schools? Farmer Field Schools (FFS) originated in 1989 in Asia as part of an FAO regional programme designed to educate and empower farmers in the integrated pest management (IPM) of rice, addressing the overuse and misuse of chemical pesticides. FFS bring together groups of farmers, pastoralists or fisherfolk to engage in a process of hands-on experiential learning. The season-long learning process, drawing on field experimentation and management approaches, strengthens farmers critical analysis skills. Understanding complex agro-ecosystems and the interaction of different elements creates a basis for informed decision-making. This approach has been proven to contribute to individual, household and community empowerment. Farmer Field Schools Today At present, over 90 countries are implementing FFS on a range of topics. Interest in and demand for FFSs continues to increase, involving a wide range of partners such as farmers, governments, international development agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). FAO actively supports the continued innovation, development and spread of the FFS approach through facilitating the sharing of knowledge on best practices and by providing technical and policy advice on FFS programme development. In 2016, FAO published the Farmer Field School Guidance Document Planning for Quality Programmes (link: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5296e.pdf), reflecting 30 years of worldwide practical experience. The document guides practitioners, programme developers and policy makers in formulating and delivering quality FFS programmes. It highlights the continued relevance of the FFS approach, discusses institutionalization and outlines coordination and networking mechanisms. Agro-pastoral/pastoral 2016 90+ COUNTRIES EASTERN & CENTRAL EUROPE CONTEXT Semi-arid Rainfed NEAR EAST NORTH AFRICA LATIN AMERICA Climate field schools Water FS High yield irrigated AFRICA IPPM Vegetables Poultry Agro-biodiversity Fisheries Flowers Pastoralist FS FS in post disaster Junior field & life schools ASIA IPM Cotton Perennials Beekeeping Farm forestry FS 1989 Rice Multiple crops Soil/water TOPIC Livestock Farmer business schools
THE GLOBAL FFS PLATFORM IS A COLLABORATIVE MULTI-STAKEHOLDER EFFORT The Global Platform is facilitated by FAO s Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP) in collaboration with other FAO divisions, decentralized offices and a global network of FFS partners and practitioners. The network of partner organizations that are committed to FFS is constantly growing. Regional Platforms Eastern Africa Field Schools Platform http://www.eafieldschools.net/web/guest Vegetable IPM Asia www.vegetableipmasia.org Global Farmer Field School Platform: http://www.fao.org/farmer-field- schools Global FFS D-group https://dgroups.org/fao/fieldschools Contact Farmer-Field- Schools@fao.org FAO, 2018 I8602EN/1/02.18