Topic outline

Farmer Field School (FFS) is a participatory education approach that brings together a group of small-scale food producers to solve production problems through sustainable agriculture. The FFS approach offers space for hands-on group learning, enhancing skills for observation and critical analysis and improved decision making by local communities. This course provides an overview of the FFS approach, starting from its fundamental principles and its brief history to its key elements.

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This e-learning course is intended for a cross section of audiences at various levels, from government actors to FFS practitioners, researchers and academics who wish to familiarize themselves with FFS.

  • Basics of the FFS approach
  • The principles of non-formal education
  • The objectives and benefits of FFS
  • The origin and expansion of FFS in terms of locations, topics and modalities
  • The key elements of FFS sessions: the Agro-EcoSystem Analysis (AESA), Field Studies, Group Dynamics, Special Topics, Recap, Evaluation
  • The FFS basic learning cycle

The course consists of 2 lessons, ranging from approximately 30 minutes duration each:

  • Lesson 1 - The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach
  • Lesson 2 - FFS elements

The online version of this course runs on the latest versions of the major browsers, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.

The downloadable version only runs on Windows PC’s and no additional software is needed.

Digital certification

This course offers certification. You will get your digital badge upon passing a final exam after completing the course and achieving a grade of at least 75%. Please click on the button below to complete the exam, or refer to our Certification section to learn more.

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    • Partners

      African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services  International Fund for Agricultural Development Resilient food system