Effectiveness of farmer field school program of minor irrigation systems in Hambantota district.

Abstract

Farmer Field School (FFS) is used for the diagnosis of pest and diseases and make recommendations accordingly with the participation of paddy farmers. In Sri Lanka, FFS has been commenced in the Hambantota district as a pilot project. However, it has now become an institutionalized extension program in all the Agriculture Instructor ranges of the country. The present study was based on the views of 374 FFS participants chosen from Tangalle, Beliatta and, Hambantota divisional secretariats of the Hambantota district and carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of FFS as an extension approach for the management of pests and diseases in paddy cultivation. From the farmers’ point of view, the importance of FFS is twofold: its role as an extension tool and its contribution to promote sustainable agriculture. The majority of the farmers (90%) expressed their satisfaction with the knowledge given by FFS and 95% of farmers have trusted the solutions provided in FFS. According to 90% of farmers, the prescriptions are relevant and appropriate. It was found that FFS has educated farmers on the use of non-chemical pest control methods. FFS has contributed to lessening crop damages, thereby an increase in income from farming. The majority of farmers (92%) showed their satisfaction with the overall activities of FFS, while 6% of farmers were not satisfied. In order to minimize the existing weaknesses and to improve the effectiveness of the present programme, the study proposes: (a) The frequency of conducting FFS should take into account the adult education principle where repeated education is a must; (b) Timing of FFS is important and the critical phases of paddy growth and maturity stage of paddy are when FFS should be held; (c) Content of FFS should be fitted to suit the target group i.e. thorough exposure of major paddy growers through demonstrations on prevention, identification and, control of pests and diseases; (d) Use of advanced teaching aids such as multimedia, lenses, leaflets and, screening of videos and demonstrations; (e) Frequent and thorough training of extension personnel with all the new knowledge on pest and diseases; (f) Ensure the ability to identify pest and disease incidence before it develops into an epidemic by expediting the mapping exercise by the Department of Agriculture.