Integrated Soil Water and Nutrient Management and Dry ... - Icrisat

Citation: Citation: Rusike J, Heinrich GM, Masendeke D and Hughes O. (Eds).
2004. Integrated soil water and nutrient management and dry season feeding of
livestock farmer field schools in Zimbabwe. Proceedings of a Review and Planning
Workshop, 19-20 Dec 2002, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. PO Box 776, Bulawayo,
Zimbabwe: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.
Abstract
This document summarizes the discussions and recommendations from a review
and planning workshop on the Integrated Soil Water and Nutrient Management and
Dry Season Feeding of Livestock Farmer Field Schools (FFS) held at Bulawayo,
Zimbabwe from 19 to 20 December 2002. Seventy-three participants, including
farmers, extension officers, agricultural researchers, and representatives of fertilizer
companies and nongovernmental organizations, attended the workshop. The
workshop objectives were to review the activities and outputs of FFS from the 2001/
02 season; evaluate the impact of FFS relative to other extension approaches and
managerial implications for mainstreaming it in the Department of Agricultural
Research and Extension (AREX) programs; present and review plans for the 2002/
03 cropping season; discuss results of surveys of FFS schools and micro-dosing
fertilizer trials; and map the way forward.
Farmers found FFS superior to the Master Farmer training and group
approaches, as it emphasizes knowledge sharing, and learning-by-doing gives farmers
the confidence to apply the techniques on their own fields. The extension officers
facilitate rather than teach; farmers make decisions themselves; and even illiterate
farmers are able to apply the techniques. However, farmers were disappointed at the
poor group cohesion and lack of cooperation within groups.
The results of the project Integrated production and pest management Farmer
Field Schools in Zimbabwe were discussed, and those of a study by AREX and
ICRISAT evaluating the performance of FFS relative to traditional approaches. The
latter study recommended that the Master Farmer approach be restructured and
integrated with the FFS approach, that investments for farmer-led FFS development
be increased, and that investments by NGOs and agribusiness firms be targeted to
complement public investments in FFS.