Field day

Towards the end of the season we start planning a field day. During the field day the FFS farmers get the opportunity to show what they have learned to other farmers in their community. Also we can invite some key persons (e.g. local politicians, governors, school teachers, etc.) who can help promote IPM and who can play a role in setting up more field schools in the next seasons.

The best moment to organize a field day is at the end of the season, just before harvest with the crop still in the field. Our visitors can then observe the IPM plot and the FP plot and other field experiments that were carried out by the farmers.

Don’t forget to prepare some insect zoos with pests and natural enemies, so that we have life examples to show to our guests.

Reporting

Don’t forget to prepare a beautiful report about your FFS. The report is not only useful for yourself, but will also help you to get future support from your superiors, funding agency.

A complete FFS report will include:

• Index and Summary
• Location of the FFS
• List of FFS facilitators and FFS farmers, their addresses and telephone numbers
• Baseline data of the farmers
  • Planting calendar (Farmers’ Practice)
  • Agricultural problems (e.g. diseases, pests, soil, water)
• Overview of all weekly FFS activities for the whole season
• Map showing the field with layout of IPM plot, FP plot, field experiments
• IPM plot and FP plot calendar (a drawing with timeline, showing the plant growth and the weekly activities/applications)
• Comparison between IPM plot and FP plot
  • Plant growth /pests / natural enemies / diseases
  • Cost and profit
• Field experiments
  • Purpose of the experiment
  • Methodology
  • How data were collected
  • Results (data) and analysis
  • Conclusion
• Overview of FFS budget and expenses
  • Recommendations
  • Drawings and photographs of your AESA and field activities, experimental plots, etc.

   

Planning for after FFS

The last FFS session(s) will be used to make plans for the next season. We want the farmers to continue working and learning as a group.

Let’s discuss what we have learned and which questions we need to answer in the next season. Let’s make plans for new field experiments. Let’s divide tasks and decide when we meet again.

The last FFS session should not be the end, but it is the beginning of our next season activities.

If FFS facilitators will not be available for a second season, then one or more leading farmers can take their role and become the facilitators during the next season.