Farmers taking the leadThirty years of farmer field schools

The Farmer Field School (FFS) has been one of the most successful approaches developed and promoted by FAO over the past three decades, empowering farmers to become better decision-makers in their own farming systems. Initiated by FAO in 1989, and subsequently adopted by many other organizations and institutions, the FFS programs constitute one of the most important results of the collective action of millions of small-scale farmers€ that FAO has supported.FFS is interactive and participatory learning by doing approach that offers farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolks, foresters and their communities a place where they can learn from each other, share experiences, co-create knowledge and try new ways of doing. Participants enhance their understanding of agro-ecosystems, resulting in production systems that are more resilient and optimize the use of available resources. FFS aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods and recognize their role as innovators and guardians of natural environments. FFS has attained plenty of outstanding achievements in all aspects of agriculture and rural development.

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Title Farmers taking the leadThirty years of farmer field schools
Description The Farmer Field School (FFS) has been one of the most successful approaches developed and promoted by FAO over the past three decades, empowering farmers to become better decision-makers in their own farming systems. Initiated by FAO in 1989, and subsequently adopted by many other organizations and institutions, the FFS programs constitute one of the most important results of the collective action of millions of small-scale farmers€ that FAO has supported.FFS is interactive and participatory learning by doing approach that offers farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolks, foresters and their communities a place where they can learn from each other, share experiences, co-create knowledge and try new ways of doing. Participants enhance their understanding of agro-ecosystems, resulting in production systems that are more resilient and optimize the use of available resources. FFS aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods and recognize their role as innovators and guardians of natural environments. FFS has attained plenty of outstanding achievements in all aspects of agriculture and rural development.
Agroecology Category
  • Integrated systems
  • Input reduction and recycling
  • Soil health
  • Economy and income
  • Nutrition and diets
  • Sustainable food system
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate
  • Natural resources governance
  • Water management
  • Collaboration
  • Equity
  • Knowledge and values
Agroecology Keyword
  • Agroforestry
  • Conservation agriculture
  • Natural farming
  • Organic agriculture
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Biological control
  • Integrated pest management
  • Monocrop
  • Soil fertility
  • Soil health
  • Market access
  • Income
  • Production costs
  • Food quality
  • Food safety
  • Nutrition and health
  • Ecological intensification
  • Food security
  • Biodiversity
  • Crop diversification
  • Adaptation to climate change
  • Climate change
  • Drought
  • Vulnerability
  • Land management
  • Landscape approach
  • Sustainable land management
  • Watershed management
  • Water saving
  • Cooperative
  • Equity
  • Religion
  • Local knowledge
Contributing organisations FAO
Author
Year 2019
Type of document
Language English
Spatial Information
Country Global
Administrative Level 1
Administrative Level 2
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