Dr. Girma Adugna

Effectiveness of Farmer Field School: Farmer Field School Model Dr. Girma Adugna

Farmer Field Schools, like any other approach, are a tool, and their effectiveness depends on both the context and the way in which they are implemented. FFS assume that farmers already have a wealth of experience and knowledge unlike that of the conventional extension approach. Once the participant farmers discover the reality they integrate the new knowledge into their system and their agricultural practices accordingly. Therefore, both awareness and technical knowledge on how to manage and control CWD and other related coffee management activities were needed for farmers and other stakeholders in the coffee sector. In accordance with this perspective coffee FFSs were established and conducted between 2003 and 2007 in the major coffee growing areas of the country to combat CWD and raising awareness and knowledge of farmers through participating in the field school. At the end, the participant farmers were acquired knowledge and prevent the disease by indicating that they can benefit from this approach.