Participatory Evaluation of our 2008 - Action Against Hunger

Institutional
• FFS shorten the times it takes to get research from station to
adoption in farmer fields by involving farmers in their own
experimentation
• Enhance the capacity of extension workers to serve as
technically skilled and group sensitive facilitators of farmer’s
experiential learning.
• Increase the competency of extension services to provide
farmer education that responds more effectively to local
resources and conditions
• Contribute information on the replicability and effectiveness
of FFSs as an alternative and sustainable mechanism for
extension service delivery
Community
• Empower farmers with knowledge and skills in farming
• Sharpen farmer ability in making logical decisions on what
works best for them, based on their own observations of
experimental and validation plots
• Promote group initiatives that are able to solve own
community problems and facilitate the work of other
development players by providing a demand driven system
• Establish high level of networking by groups to handle
emerging follow up with community activities [marketing,
resource mobilization processing, contract farming, etc]
Based on encouraging participant report and positive feedback from FAO on the relative strengths of the ACF farmer
field schools, ACF plans to expand the approach in Lango sub-region during 2009 and to pilot the initiative in Acholi
sub-region at the same time. Before scaling up, however, an evaluation is required to review achievement and improve
the approach.
Evaluation Objectives
1. To evaluate the FFS methodology and process for 12 groups in Minakulu and Okwang sub-counties.
2. To evaluate FFS impact on household food security and livelihoods, according to qualitative and quantitative data
analysis generated through questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews.
3. To identify existing strengths and weaknesses in ACF FFS implementation and M&E.
4. To involve ACF staff in an applied learning opportunity and identify training needs improved FFS implementation
and M&E.
5. To develop specific recommendations for improved FFS programming in 2009.
Evaluation Process
Phase one of the evaluation will build on a recently concluded quantitative evaluation of the farmer field school
approach in Uganda, completed by FAO in July 2008. Sections of the FAO data collection tool will be used in order to
ensure comparability of ACF results with national trends identified in the FAO data. ACF field extension workers will
be briefed on the evaluation objectives and trained in use of the quantitative data collection tool before collecting data
from the 12 FFS groups. If possible, one control group (not participating in the FFS) will participate from each location
for further comparative analysis.
Phase two of the evaluation will utilise initial analysis of the quantitative data as the basis for focus group discussions in
each FFS location so that causes, effects, preferences, etc can be understood in greater detail. Seasonality of activities
and inputs will be analysed, preferably building upon a seasonal calendar already developed by ACF field extension
workers. Matrix scoring and proportional piling could be included in the focus groups, depending on initial results from
the quantitative data collection and subsequent identification of analytical priorities. The possibility of genderdisaggregated
groups will also be explored to consider possible differences in gender impact of FFS activities on
women and men.
Key Documents
• ACF-FAO letters of agreement and project proposals
• ACF progress and final report to FAO
• FAO evaluation of farmer field schools in Uganda
• Draft logical framework for 2009 ACF FFS M&E
• Quantitative data analysis results of ACF 2008 output indicators
Action Against Hunger Uganda - 51 - Farmer Field School Evaluation