Revamping Farmer Field School to Farmer Field Business School for Sustainable Agricultural Production

Abstract

The Farmer Field School (FFS) is a form of out of regular school or adult learning situation or execution of the learning process in the field where farmers experiment together with the extension agent. The FFS tends to provide farmers especially the non-formal avenue to practically view things directly as being demonstrated by the extension agent who is the field teacher and the farmers themselves who demonstrate the basic concept alongside the extension agents.  However, educating farmers through FFS requires more issues of agricultural commercialisation from both farmers and the facilitators than simple technology transfer or technical recommendations of innovation. This paper provided insight into the content of FFS, regarding the norms of FFS, the role of facilitators and the need to enhance FFS, build capacity of farmers for commercialized agricultural production, food and nutrition security and continued rural development. The FFS is not effectively practised and there are few extension agents to handle the processes, thus affecting agricultural production and food security. The reorientation of FFS as farmer field business school (FFBS) will enhance extension services delivery for more income hence, need for more agents is critical for effective FFBS, the FFBS consequently will contribute to achieving the sustainable agriculture and rural development.