Brussels Development Briefing n.34

Farmer-driven research to improve food and

nutrition security 14th November 2013

http://brusselsbriefings.net

Successful participatory research by farmers

through innovative Farmers Field Schools in

Rwanda. Jean-Pierre BUSOGORO, BTC.

Successful participatory

research by farmers through

innovative Farmers Field

Schools in Rwanda

Dr Jean-Pierre BUSOGORO et al., November 2013

Farmer Field Schools Approach (FFS)

• Participatory extension approach

• Non formal adult education methods – Discovery-based learning techniques

– Experiential learning methods

– Final decision based on recorded facts

• Involvement of farmers at all steps

• Farmers coming to learn together – Concept of learning by doing: conducting experiences

– In the farmers’ areas/conditions

Key components & conditions for

FFS success

Key components of FFS

• Group of farmers

• Study field/plot

• Facilitator

• Learning curriculum

• Program leader

Conditions / non

negotiable points

• Season long

• AESA

• Group dynamics

• Special topics

Season long Learning/discovering (planting-

harvest)

FFS: Integration of

research-extension system

Research

Extension

Farmers

Top-down

FFS:Participatory & integrated

With FFS

Good understanding of the production system

Research Extension

Farmers

FFS

Application of FFS in Rwanda

• ICM packages: entry point for FFS

• Candidate facilitators: selected among the farmers’

communities

• Implementation: commodity specific 12 commodities already covered (banana, cassava, potato, maize

etc…)

• ToT organized during on ‘season long’ model

around venue facilities

• FFS organized on ‘season long’ model in selected

farmers’ plot Technologies/innovations tested by farmers before any adoption

Participatory selection of future facilitators

Participatory identification of problems

Training curriculum & implementation

• To address the real challenges faced by

farmers

• Adapted to local conditions » Allowing farmers to compare innovations to local practices

• Developed considering » Needs expressed by farmers

» Scientific reality of the challenges & solutions

• Farmers participating in evaluation of

technologies/innovations – Facilitators: proximity/community service providers

– Farmers: actors of the implementation

Active participation of farmers in practical learning

Participatory research and

successful results

Farmers testing appropriate and sustainable

practices to protect their crops

Constant participation of farmers in the discovery

process

Trapped weevils

Simple and accessible technologies in ICM packages:

farmers’ needs considered

AESA data collection by farmers

AESA data analysis and decision making

Productivity increase following the ICM adoption through FFS

Recovery and conservation of

genetic diversity

New protocols developed with participation

of farmers

Higher capacity for diversification of farms’

products

More income and livelihood improvement

Involvement of various actors:

collaboration

• Rwandan government » Ministry of Agriculture & RAB

• Belgian Cooperation » BTC

• Farmers communities: active

beneficiaries » Actors for implementation: facilitators and farmers

Geographical coverage

FFS &Participatory research: results

• Availability of proximity extension service

provision

• Farmers empowered to improve their production

system

• Appropriate agronomic practices

• Decreased use of pesticides

• Participatory selection of varieties

• Recovery of farmers’ preferred varieties

• Significant increase of productivity

• Active on-farm conservation

Various products with improved production system

Food security assured by different

parameters

• Increased quantity of food: higher

productivity » Good agronomic practices generating more production

» Quality of the products: less use of pesticides

• Diversification of products » Cereals, tubers, fruits, vegetables

• More income for farmers’ families » More farmers selling surplus

» The income can be invested for different goals including

to buy food