Abstract:
The Farmer Field Schools (FFS) extension approach has been implemented in
Mbinga and Mbeya Rural Districts on a pilot basis for over 10 years. Despite the FFS
extension approach being in use for over 10 years, its link with household livelihoods
has not been well established in the Tanzanian context. The main objective of the
study was to investigate how the Farmer Field School approach influenced the
adoption of agricultural innovations, crop productivity and livelihoods of farmers.
Specifically, the study intended to: (i) Assess the modalities used in the formation
and implementation of FFS in the delivery of extension services; (ii) Examine the
influence of FFS on the adoption of farm innovations including intensification,
diversification and extensification of agricultural production; (iii) Identify factors
influencing FFS on farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing and learning about
agricultural technologies; (iv) Assess the influence of FFS on social capital including
formation of networks of farmer groups and strengthening of gender participation
and (v) Determine the effects of FFS on productivity, food security, and incomes of
the participating farmers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data
from 270 randomly selected respondents. The data were analyzed using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme. A binary logistic model
was used to test the effect of FFS on crop productivity of the respondents. A t-test
was employed to test if there was statistically significant difference in crop
productivity between FFS and non-FFS participating farmers. The results revealed
that there was increase in crop productivity through FFS approach. It was further
observed that, there is a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001) in cropiii
productivity between FFS and non-FFS participating farmers. The study concludes
that through FFS approach farmers had increased their crop productivity, food
security and income. The study recommends that the FFS approach should be used
as an extension approach, but more efforts should be put on improving the
implementation of FFS activities in terms of training of extension staff and there
should be reliable financial support from the government.
