How does FFS help Development Agencies?

THE following are some of the reasons for development agencies to incorporate FFS into extension services:

Structured implementation process: FFS provides a structured extension platform, which makes implementation and M&E easier as listed below:

Regular meeting days: Regular group meeting days make FFS easier to monitor. The management team knows when and where FFSs are carried out. This allows random checking by managers, whose visits are not announced in advance;
Fixed timetable and planned programme: Every FFS session is conducted according to a fixed timetable and each activity planned during the previous group meeting and agreed among members. This simple standard session format simplifies planning and preparation for future sessions;

Fixed annual and event schedule: The annual FFS programme must be fully synchronised with rainfall and other environmental patterns, with clear benchmarks and key events including exchange visits, field days and graduation; and

Standardized FFS inputs and budget: Inputs for FFS including learning materials, costs for events and allowances for facilitators can be standardised under a project. The budget for each FFS will vary depending on the length of the FFS implementation period, material to be provided, travel distance of facilitators, and reporting required from farmers.

Facilitating inter-sectoral collaboration:
FFS requires collaboration among various government ministries for the delivery of “special topics,” which cover not only agriculture, livestock and agroforestry related issues, but also life skills such as prevention of HIV/AIDS, cooking, nutrition, and other requests according to demand from the FFS participants. Special topics, which deal with multisectoral issues, are a crucial element to keep the group interested and active. This arrangement requires FFS facilitators to actively search for help from other government agencies or NGOs which, as a result, makes FFS a multisectoral platform.

Empowering extension officers: FFS empowers both farmers and extension officers. Through FFS implementation extension officers must adapt their normal role of lecturers to become facilitators. An equal communication platform requires them to change their attitude to listen more to the farmers. Clearly identified working targets and a structured approach ensures they are better prepared and more disciplined. Frequent communication socialises them to become local coordinators.

Expanding results effectively:
An overview of the expansion strategy of the FFS approach is illustrated in Figure 1. FFS employs two types of facilitators;
(i) extension facilitators, who are recruited by the government or
projects and have received the required training as facilitators, and
(ii) farmer facilitators (FFs), who are FFS graduates.