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

Section 2 • General Topics for Farmer Field Schools
Exercise No. 2.05 25
AGRO-ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS FOR FARMER
FIELD SCHOOLS ON ORGANIC VEGETABLE
PRODUCTION: ESTABLISHING MINIMUM DATA FOR
DECISION-MAkING
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Agro-ecosystem analysis (AESA) is a way of assembling
what participants are studying and placing into a process
useful for decision-making based on many factors 26 . An AESA, therefore, must look into various
elements of a crop ecosystem, how these elements, in one way or another, affect a crop and what
are those elements that work interdependently or separately for a particular vegetable crop. This
exercise, therefore, provides a holistic approach in monitoring an organically-grown vegetable in
question.
In previous volumes 27 - 28 , minimum data necessary for decision-making had been established in
farmer field schools of crucifers and other vegetables that are not organically-grown. For this
volume, minimum data necessary for decision-making in farmer field schools of organically-grown
vegetables (e.g., legumes, solanaceous vegetables, parsley, and cucurbits) will have to be established
as well. Thus, this activity will be undertaken to address this particular concern.
How long will this exercise take?
• At least 30 minutes for field walks and observations;
• At least 30 minutes for brainstorming in small groups to determine minimum data necessary
for decision-making in farmer field schools of organically-grown vegetables; and
• At least one hour for presentation and participatory discussions in big group to fine-tune
minimum data necessary for decision-making in farmer field schools of organically-grown
vegetables.
25 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. pp38-42.
26 Callo, Jr. D.P., W.R. Cuaterno, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 1999. Handbook of Non-Formal Education and Team Building Exercises for Integrated Pest
Management. SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, College, Laguna, Philippines. pp190-191.
27 Philippine National IPM Program. 1997. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Vegetable IPM. National Agricultural and Fishery Council,
Department of Agriculture, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. pp2-1 to 2-124
28 Callo, Jr., D.P., Teofilo, L.B. and Tauli, H.A. 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. pp13-16.
31
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In TOT and VST, before
conducting first AESA
in FFS of where both a
primary and secondary
organic vegetables will be
addressed in a seasonlong
FFS activity.