Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 2 • General Topics for Farmer Field Schools
Exercise No. 2.03 19
FACILITATING PROBLEMS OF ABSENTEEISM IN
FARMER FIELD SCHOOL FOR ORGANIC VEGETABLE
PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
In a recently concluded refresher course for trainers (RCT)
of integrated pest management (IPM) in the Cordilleras 20 ,
some positive experiences and lessons learned were shared
by participants in facilitating and managing farmer field
schools (FFSs). The most notable observations shared are: (1) protocols conducted by facilitators
to involve local government unit (LGU) officials, consult with farmers right at beginning, and
continuously feedback activities enhance local IPM program sustainability; and (2) facilitators’
skills and perseverance contributed largely to FFS successes as farmer-participants try to replicate
what facilitators practice.
However, one of recurring problems experienced by facilitators in FFS implementation is still
absenteeism. The most common reason mentioned for absenteeism was attendance in community
occasions and meetings. A number of recommendations were offered by FFS facilitators to solve
absenteeism, such as: (1) proper orientation about FFS activity must be done right at beginning;
(2) facilitators should make weekly topics interesting; (3) absenting farmer-participants should be
required to send advance notice of their absences and proxies should not be allowed for them; (4)
absenting farmer-participants should be given importance by doing follow-up on them and avoiding
overemphasis on processing of absenteeism; and (5) FFS farmer-participants should be facilitated to
organize themselves so that they can apply peer pressure to absenting farmer-participants.
The FFS facilitators can regularly share their learning experiences in solving problems of absenteeism
among farmer-participants to further improve their individual facilitating skills and thus ensure
sustained local FFS implementation on organic vegetable production. Thus, this forgoing exercise
was designed as follow-up exercises on ‘Managing Farmer Field Schools’ and ‘How to Establish
FFS Participatory Norms.’
19 Adapted from Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Teofilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Vegetable IPM, Volume II. SEAMEO
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. pp26-28.
20 Binamira, J.S. 1998. A Consultant’s Report: Refresher Course for Trainers of IPM in Crucifers and Other Highland Vegetable Crops. Cordillera Highland
Agricultural Resources Management Project, Department of Agriculture, CAR Regional Field Unit, Baguio City, Philippines. pp1-30.
21
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In TOT and VST sessions,
or by local IPM team,
when absenteeism among
farmer-participants of an
on-going FFS on organic
vegetable production is a
problem.