An Assessment of Contribution of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) Approach in Successful Implementation of Vegetable Cultivation in Anuradhapura District

Abstract

The concept of farmer field schools (FFS) is a tool of agricultural extension in disseminating knowledge. A number of government and non-government organization have used this concept in transferring knowledge on vegetable cultivation. This study assesses the impact of such FFS programme launched by International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) in Anuradhapura district. Thirty participants of FFS and 30 non participants of FFS were used in this study. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select FFS as well as the farmers. At the first stage, 10 FFS and at the second stage three participants were selected at random from each FFS. Similar procedure was adopted in sampling 30 non-participants from each FFS locality. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from FFS participants and non-participants. Descriptive techniques along with several indices were employed in analyzing data. Magnitudes of in indices on knowledge, practice, education and facilitator indices were calculated. Results indicated that the magnitudes of indices of participants were higher than those of the non participants, and the observed differences were also statistically significant at 0.05 percent level of significance. Even not significant higher mean income of participants was observed. Based on these findings it is possible to conclude that the FFS concept has changed the perception of the farmers while bringing down some technical gaps in knowledge of vegetable farmers. Nevertheless, the accompanied change in income of vegetable farmers is not significant.