The Global Farmer Field School Network: Pilot experiences with web-based tools for

knowledge sharing.

FFSnetEdwin Adenya, Arnoud Braun and Ruud Crul

What is a Farmer Field School?

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) consist of groups of peoplewith a common interest, who get together on a regular

basis to study the “how and why” of a particular topic.

The topics covered can vary considerably - from IPM, organic agriculture, animal husbandry, and soil husbandry, to income-generating activities such as handicrafts.

Characteristics of FFS *• The group • The field• The leader• The facilitator• The Curriculum• Financing• Graduation• Upscaling/networking * See also: Fundamental Elements of a Farmer Fleld Schools

FFS Video

Why FFSnet?Approach popular as a result of global expansion,

national institutionalisation and scaling-up.Situation before FFSnet: 1)No knowledge sharing platform on materials,

persons and experiences, yet growing demand for this information

2)Originally piloted by FAO in Indonesia, as a result of success now implemented by many organisations in more than 78 countries.

Response: Global FFS Network and Resource Centre (FFSnet) - http://farmerfieldschool.info

FFSnet web-based tools• Website http://farmerfieldschool.info (CMS Joomla)

– News (blog)– Country/Districts, Organisations, Projects Profiles – RSS– Wiki– Search cloud– Database– Forum – Listserve

• Skype

Load the website

Achievements• Network platform and

tools established: Database (Dec 2005), Listserve (Jan 2007), Web site/web 2.0 tools + forum (April 2007)

• One regional (East Africa), two national training events (Kenya, Uganda)

• Two institutional training events in Kenya (ICIPE, KENDAT).

Database Statistics

Global Kenya

Organizations 78 22

FFS Persons 902 187

FFS Projects 31 16

FFS Publications 353 58

Current Constraints

• Connectivity• Low bandwidth (speed/videos)• Capacity (skills)• Information sharing is limited

(time/willingness/skills) - paradigm shift required

• Lack of policy and institutional support

The Future

• More mentoring and facilitation – through country user groups

• Demand-driven integration of more/other Web 2.0 tools

• Additional Languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Swahili

• Country sub-sites

Thanks to CTA

• For co-funding FFSnet pilot in East Africa (2006/7)

• For funding my participation in the conference

Ukitaka Kujua Utamu Ukitaka Kujua Utamu Wa Ngoma ingia Wa Ngoma ingia

ucheze.ucheze.

Development!!!!