Efficacy of farmer field schools in achieving participatory technology development among smallholder farmers in the Hoima district, Uganda

https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v1i4.764
Published: Aug 26, 2021

Abstract:

Purpose: This study investigated the efficacy of FFS for participatory technology development among smallholder farmers in Hoima district, Uganda. It is anticipated that by making FFS concrete, household food security will be enhanced.

Research methodology: The study utilised primary data, which was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. While 120 respondents were sampled, 103 responded, generating a response rate of 85.83%. This was an excellent response seeing that it merited above 75%. The researcher administered all questionnaires in one month.

Results: From the findings indicate that PTD is more desirable in the Hoima district. In addition, the construct of the ability to solve problems from time to time indicates that problem-solving is very desirable for PTD in the Hoima district. The results suggest a positive correlation between FFS and PTD among the study population, indicating that a unit-change in the FFS constructs will lead to a proportionate change in the constructs of PTD in the same direction. This implies that improving FFS quality by a single unit will translate into progressive improvement in PTD in the Hoima district. This study also suggests that FFS alone has a strong positive influence on PTD in the Hoima district.

Limitations: This study merely covered farmer-field schools, yet several interventions aim to raise the quality of agriculture in Uganda, such as National Agricultural Advisory Services and Emyoga.

Contribution: This study contributes to the deeper understanding of what ought to be done to improve the quality of farming in Uganda.

Keywords:
1. Farmer field school
2. Participatory technology development
3. Smallholder
4. Agricultural extension
5. Agriculture
Authors:
David Mwesigwa
Discipline of Public Administration and Management, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
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How to Cite
Mwesigwa, D. (2021). Efficacy of farmer field schools in achieving participatory technology development among smallholder farmers in the Hoima district, Uganda. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 1(4), 309–321. https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v1i4.764
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Issue & Section
Vol. 1 No. 4 (2021): August
Articles
References

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    Etana, A., Holm, L., Rydberg, T., and Keller, T. (2020). Soil and crop responses to controlled traffic farming in reduced tillage and no-till: some experiences from field experiments and on-farm studies in Sweden. Acta agriculturae scandinavica, section B – soil & plant science, 70(4). 333-40. Doi: 10.1080/09064710.2020.1728372

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    Food and agriculture organisation. (2016). Farmer filed schools in Uganda. Accessed on 22 April 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIoTQ8vC5Fg

    Gardeazabal, A., Lunt, T., Jahn, M.M., Verhulst, N., Hellin, J., and Govaertts, B. (2021). Knowledge management for innovation in agri-food systems: a conceptual; framework. Knowledge management research & practice. Doi: 10.1080/14778238.2021.1884010

    Gillespie, A.H., and Smith, L.A. (2008). Food decision-making framework: connecting sustainable food systems to health and wellbeing. Journal of hunger and environmental nutrition, 3(2&3). 328-346. Doi: 10.1080/19320240802244363.

    Hunter, M.C., Williamson, Z.H.D., Pearson, M., Saikawa, E., Gribble, O.M., and Kegler, M. (2020). Safe community gardening practices: focus groups with garden leaders in Atlanta, Georgia. Local environment, 25(1). 18-35. Doi: 10.1080/13549839.2019.1688268

    Hwalla, N., El Labban, S., and Bahn, R.A. (2016). Nutrition security is an integral component of food security. Frontiers in life science, 9(3). 167-72. Doi: 10.1080/21553769.2016.1209133.

    Ibnu, M., Offermans, A., and Glasbergen, P. (2018). Certification and farmer organisation: Indonesian smallholder perceptions of benefits. Bulletin of Indnesian economic studies, 54(3). 387-415. Doi: 10.1080/00074918.2018.1506093

    Kiptot, E., and Franzel, S. (2019). Developing sustainable farmer-to-farmer extension: experiences from the volunteer farmer-trainer approach in Kenya. International journal of agricultural sustainability, 17(6). 401-12. Doi: 10.1080/14735903.2019.1679576

    Lewison, E. (2019). Value chains and development brokers: engineering inclusive agricultural markets in Jumla, Nepal, South Asia. Journal of south Asian studies, 42(5). 903-19. Doi: 10.1080/00856401.2019.1639244

    Madariaga, A. (2020). The three pillars of neoliberalism: Chile's economic policy trajectory in comparative perspective. Contemporary politics, 26(3). 308-29. Doi: 10.1080/13569775.2020.1735021

    Makokha, S.N., Yongo, D., Mwirigi, M., and Nyongesa, D. (2019). Smallholder group dynamics and capacity building: a case study of dairy groups in Kenya. East African agricultural and forestry journal. 83(4). 281-8. Doi: 10.1080/00128325.2018.1549967

    Masset, E., and Haddad, L. (2015). Does beneficiary farmer feedback improve project performance? An impact study of a participatory monitoring intervention in Mindanao, Philippines. The journal of development studies, 51(3). 287-304. Doi: 10.1080/00220388.2014.959933

    Mawa, C., Babweteera, F., and Tumusiime, M.D. (2020). Conservation outcomes of collaborative forest management in a medium altitude semi deciduous forest in mid-western Uganda. Journal of sustainable forestry. Doi: 10.1080/10549811.2020.1841006

    McDonald, C., Corfield, J., MacLeod, N., and Lisson, S. (2019). Enhancing the impact and sustainability of development strategies with smallholder farmers: participatory engagement, whole farm modelling and farmer-led on-farm research. International journal of agricultural sustainability, 17(6). 445-57. Doi: 10.1080/14735903.2019.1689063

    Murisa, T. (2011). Local farmer groups and collective action within fast track land reform in Zimbabwe. The journal of peasant studies, 38(5). 1145-66. Doi: 10.1080/03066150.2011.634502

    Nevarez, L., Tobin, K., and Waltermaurer, E. (2016). Food acquisition in Poughkeepsie, NY:, food, culture & society. 19(1). 19-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2016.1144996.

    O'Connor, T., Meredith, D., McNamara, J., O'Hora, D., and Kinsella, J. (2020). Farmer discussion groups create space for peer learning about safety and health. Journal of agromedicine. Doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2020.1720882

    Ochienh, J., Knerr, B., Owuor, G., and Ouma, E. (2018). Strengthening collective action to improve marketing performance: evidence from farmer groups in central Africa. The journal of agricultural education and extension, 24(2). 169-89. Doi: 10.1080/1389224X.2018.1432493

    Orina, J., Mukundi, J.B., Adimo, A.O., Rimberia, K.F., Omondi, A.M., Gebauer, J., and Kehlenbeck, K. (2021). Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) population structure across different agroecological zones in coastal and lower eastern Kenya. Forests, trees and livelihoods, 30(1). 13-27. Doi: 10.1080/14728028.2020.1852974

    Otte, P.P., Tivana, D.L., Phinney, R., Bernardo, R., and Davidson, H. (2018). The importance of gender roles and relations in rural agricultural technology development: a case study of solar fruit drying in Mozambique. Gender, technology and development, 22(1). 40-58. Doi: 10.1080/09718524.2018.1444442

    Ouma, A.M., Onyango, A.C., Ombati, M.J., and Mango, N. (2020). Innovation platform for improving rice marketing decisions among smallholder farmers in Homa-Bay County, Kenya. Cogent food & agriculture, 6(1). Doi: 10.1080/23311932.2020.1832399

    Rocha, A., Goncalves, E., and Almeida, E. (2019). Agricultural technology adoption and land use: evidence from Brazilian municipalities. Journal of land use science, 14(4-6). 320-46. Doi: 10.1080/1747423X.2019.1707312

    Rusere, F., Crespo, O., Dicks, L., Mkuhlani, S., Francis, J., and Zhou, L. (2020). Enabling acceptance and use of ecological intensification options through engaging smallholder farmers in semi-arid rural Limpopo and Eastern Cape, South Africa. Agroecology and sustainable food systems, 44(6). 696-725. Doi: 10.1080/21683565.2019.1638336

    Séogo, W., and Zahonogo, P. (2019). Land tenure system innovation and agricultural technology adoption in Burkina Faso: comparing empirical evidence to the worsening situation of both rural people vulnerability and vulnerable groups' access to land. African journal of science, technology, innovation and development, 11(7). 833-42. Doi: 10.1080/20421338.2019.1587257

    Shita, A., Kumar, N., and Singh, S. (2020). Economic benefit of agricultural technology on Teff and maise crops in Ethiopia: the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition. Journal of poverty, 24(3). 169-84. Doi: 10.1080/10875549.2019.1668899

    Skogstad, G. (2020). Political parties and policy change in Canadian agricultural marketing institutions. Journal of comparative policy analysis: research and practice. Doi: 10.1080/13876988.2020.1749519

    Templer, N., Hauser, M., Owamani, D, A., Kamusingize, H., Ogwali, L., Mulumba, R., Adugna, T.B.O., and Probst, L. (2018). Does certified organic agriculture increase agroecosystem health? Evidence from farming systems in Uganda. International journal of agricultural sustainability, 16(2). 150-66. Doi: 10.1080/14735903.2018.1440465

    The FFS global platform facilitating team. (n.d). Farmer field schools global platform D-group. Accessed on 22 April 2021: http://www.fao.org/farmer-field-schools/en/

    Thompson, P.B. (2015). From world hunger to food sovereignty: food ethics and human development. Journal of global ethics, 11(3). 336-50. Doi: 10.1080/17449626.2015.1100651

    Tian, J., Bryksa, B.C., and Yada, R.Y. (2016). Feeding the world into the future – food and nutrition security: the role of food science and technology. Frontiers in life science, 9(3). 155-66.doi: 10.1080/21553769.2016.1174958.

    USAID. (n.d). Farmer field school, curriculum: good agronomic practices for groundnut production Ghana. Accessed 22 April 2021: https//www.spring-nutrition.org

    Vaghefi, N., Shamsudin, M.N., Radam, A., and Rahim, K.A. (2016). Impact of climate change on food security in Malaysia: economic and policy adjustments for rice industry. Journal of integrative environmental sciences, 13(1). 19-35. Doi: 10.1080/1943815X.2015.1112292

    Van Den Berg, H. and Knols, B.G.J. (2006). The farmer field school: a method for enhancing of rural communities in malaria control? BMC Malaria journal, 5(3).

    Vercillo, S., Kuuire, V.Z., Armah, F.A., and Luginaah, I. (2015). Does the new alliance for food security and nutrition impose biotechnology on smallholder farmers in Africa? Global bioethics, 26(1). 1.13. Doi: 10.1080/11287462.2014.1002294.

    Zhang, J., Wu, J., Simpson, J., and Arthur, L.C. (2019). Membership of Chinese farmer specialised cooperatives and direct subsidies for farmer households; a multi-province data study. The Chinese economy, 52(5). 400-21. Doi: 10.1080/10971475.2019.1617928

    Zheng, C., and Huang, H. (2018). Analysis of technology diffusion in agricultural industry cluster based on system dynamics and simulation model. Journal of discrete mathematical sciences and cryptography, 21(6). 1211-4. Doi: 10.1080/09720529.2018.1525129

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  2. Besada, H., and Werner, K. (2015). An assessment of the effects of Africa's water crisis on food security and management. International journal of water resources development, 31(1). 120-133. Doi: 10.1080/07900627.2014.905124
  3. Chiaro, D., and Rossato, L. (2015). Food and translation, translation and food. The translator, 21(3). 237-243. Doi: 10.1080/13556509.2015.1110934
  4. Etana, A., Holm, L., Rydberg, T., and Keller, T. (2020). Soil and crop responses to controlled traffic farming in reduced tillage and no-till: some experiences from field experiments and on-farm studies in Sweden. Acta agriculturae scandinavica, section B – soil & plant science, 70(4). 333-40. Doi: 10.1080/09064710.2020.1728372
  5. Ethical tea partnership. (2021). Creating a fairer, better, more sustainable tea industry for workers, farmers and the environment. Accessed on 22 April 2021: info@ethicalteapatnership.org
  6. Eton, M., Mwosi, F., Ejang, M., and Poro, S.G. (2020). Financial inclusion: is it a precursor to agricultural commercialisation amongst smallholder farmers in Uganda? A comparative analysis between Lango and Buganda sub-regions. Journal of economics and international finance, 13(1). 1.12.
  7. Feyisa, W.B. (2020). Determinants of agricultural technology adoption in Ethiopia: a meta-analysis. Cogent food & agriculture, 6(1). Doi: 10.1080/23311932.2020.1855817
  8. Food and agriculture organisation. (2016). Farmer filed schools in Uganda. Accessed on 22 April 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIoTQ8vC5Fg
  9. Gardeazabal, A., Lunt, T., Jahn, M.M., Verhulst, N., Hellin, J., and Govaertts, B. (2021). Knowledge management for innovation in agri-food systems: a conceptual; framework. Knowledge management research & practice. Doi: 10.1080/14778238.2021.1884010
  10. Gillespie, A.H., and Smith, L.A. (2008). Food decision-making framework: connecting sustainable food systems to health and wellbeing. Journal of hunger and environmental nutrition, 3(2&3). 328-346. Doi: 10.1080/19320240802244363.
  11. Hunter, M.C., Williamson, Z.H.D., Pearson, M., Saikawa, E., Gribble, O.M., and Kegler, M. (2020). Safe community gardening practices: focus groups with garden leaders in Atlanta, Georgia. Local environment, 25(1). 18-35. Doi: 10.1080/13549839.2019.1688268
  12. Hwalla, N., El Labban, S., and Bahn, R.A. (2016). Nutrition security is an integral component of food security. Frontiers in life science, 9(3). 167-72. Doi: 10.1080/21553769.2016.1209133.
  13. Ibnu, M., Offermans, A., and Glasbergen, P. (2018). Certification and farmer organisation: Indonesian smallholder perceptions of benefits. Bulletin of Indnesian economic studies, 54(3). 387-415. Doi: 10.1080/00074918.2018.1506093
  14. Kiptot, E., and Franzel, S. (2019). Developing sustainable farmer-to-farmer extension: experiences from the volunteer farmer-trainer approach in Kenya. International journal of agricultural sustainability, 17(6). 401-12. Doi: 10.1080/14735903.2019.1679576
  15. Lewison, E. (2019). Value chains and development brokers: engineering inclusive agricultural markets in Jumla, Nepal, South Asia. Journal of south Asian studies, 42(5). 903-19. Doi: 10.1080/00856401.2019.1639244
  16. Madariaga, A. (2020). The three pillars of neoliberalism: Chile's economic policy trajectory in comparative perspective. Contemporary politics, 26(3). 308-29. Doi: 10.1080/13569775.2020.1735021
  17. Makokha, S.N., Yongo, D., Mwirigi, M., and Nyongesa, D. (2019). Smallholder group dynamics and capacity building: a case study of dairy groups in Kenya. East African agricultural and forestry journal. 83(4). 281-8. Doi: 10.1080/00128325.2018.1549967
  18. Masset, E., and Haddad, L. (2015). Does beneficiary farmer feedback improve project performance? An impact study of a participatory monitoring intervention in Mindanao, Philippines. The journal of development studies, 51(3). 287-304. Doi: 10.1080/00220388.2014.959933
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  22. Nevarez, L., Tobin, K., and Waltermaurer, E. (2016). Food acquisition in Poughkeepsie, NY:, food, culture & society. 19(1). 19-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2016.1144996.
  23. O'Connor, T., Meredith, D., McNamara, J., O'Hora, D., and Kinsella, J. (2020). Farmer discussion groups create space for peer learning about safety and health. Journal of agromedicine. Doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2020.1720882
  24. Ochienh, J., Knerr, B., Owuor, G., and Ouma, E. (2018). Strengthening collective action to improve marketing performance: evidence from farmer groups in central Africa. The journal of agricultural education and extension, 24(2). 169-89. Doi: 10.1080/1389224X.2018.1432493
  25. Orina, J., Mukundi, J.B., Adimo, A.O., Rimberia, K.F., Omondi, A.M., Gebauer, J., and Kehlenbeck, K. (2021). Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) population structure across different agroecological zones in coastal and lower eastern Kenya. Forests, trees and livelihoods, 30(1). 13-27. Doi: 10.1080/14728028.2020.1852974
  26. Otte, P.P., Tivana, D.L., Phinney, R., Bernardo, R., and Davidson, H. (2018). The importance of gender roles and relations in rural agricultural technology development: a case study of solar fruit drying in Mozambique. Gender, technology and development, 22(1). 40-58. Doi: 10.1080/09718524.2018.1444442
  27. Ouma, A.M., Onyango, A.C., Ombati, M.J., and Mango, N. (2020). Innovation platform for improving rice marketing decisions among smallholder farmers in Homa-Bay County, Kenya. Cogent food & agriculture, 6(1). Doi: 10.1080/23311932.2020.1832399
  28. Rocha, A., Goncalves, E., and Almeida, E. (2019). Agricultural technology adoption and land use: evidence from Brazilian municipalities. Journal of land use science, 14(4-6). 320-46. Doi: 10.1080/1747423X.2019.1707312
  29. Rusere, F., Crespo, O., Dicks, L., Mkuhlani, S., Francis, J., and Zhou, L. (2020). Enabling acceptance and use of ecological intensification options through engaging smallholder farmers in semi-arid rural Limpopo and Eastern Cape, South Africa. Agroecology and sustainable food systems, 44(6). 696-725. Doi: 10.1080/21683565.2019.1638336
  30. Séogo, W., and Zahonogo, P. (2019). Land tenure system innovation and agricultural technology adoption in Burkina Faso: comparing empirical evidence to the worsening situation of both rural people vulnerability and vulnerable groups' access to land. African journal of science, technology, innovation and development, 11(7). 833-42. Doi: 10.1080/20421338.2019.1587257
  31. Shita, A., Kumar, N., and Singh, S. (2020). Economic benefit of agricultural technology on Teff and maise crops in Ethiopia: the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition. Journal of poverty, 24(3). 169-84. Doi: 10.1080/10875549.2019.1668899
  32. Skogstad, G. (2020). Political parties and policy change in Canadian agricultural marketing institutions. Journal of comparative policy analysis: research and practice. Doi: 10.1080/13876988.2020.1749519
  33. Templer, N., Hauser, M., Owamani, D, A., Kamusingize, H., Ogwali, L., Mulumba, R., Adugna, T.B.O., and Probst, L. (2018). Does certified organic agriculture increase agroecosystem health? Evidence from farming systems in Uganda. International journal of agricultural sustainability, 16(2). 150-66. Doi: 10.1080/14735903.2018.1440465
  34. The FFS global platform facilitating team. (n.d). Farmer field schools global platform D-group. Accessed on 22 April 2021: http://www.fao.org/farmer-field-schools/en/
  35. Thompson, P.B. (2015). From world hunger to food sovereignty: food ethics and human development. Journal of global ethics, 11(3). 336-50. Doi: 10.1080/17449626.2015.1100651
  36. Tian, J., Bryksa, B.C., and Yada, R.Y. (2016). Feeding the world into the future – food and nutrition security: the role of food science and technology. Frontiers in life science, 9(3). 155-66.doi: 10.1080/21553769.2016.1174958.
  37. USAID. (n.d). Farmer field school, curriculum: good agronomic practices for groundnut production Ghana. Accessed 22 April 2021: https//www.spring-nutrition.org
  38. Vaghefi, N., Shamsudin, M.N., Radam, A., and Rahim, K.A. (2016). Impact of climate change on food security in Malaysia: economic and policy adjustments for rice industry. Journal of integrative environmental sciences, 13(1). 19-35. Doi: 10.1080/1943815X.2015.1112292
  39. Van Den Berg, H. and Knols, B.G.J. (2006). The farmer field school: a method for enhancing of rural communities in malaria control? BMC Malaria journal, 5(3).
  40. Vercillo, S., Kuuire, V.Z., Armah, F.A., and Luginaah, I. (2015). Does the new alliance for food security and nutrition impose biotechnology on smallholder farmers in Africa? Global bioethics, 26(1). 1.13. Doi: 10.1080/11287462.2014.1002294.
  41. Zhang, J., Wu, J., Simpson, J., and Arthur, L.C. (2019). Membership of Chinese farmer specialised cooperatives and direct subsidies for farmer households; a multi-province data study. The Chinese economy, 52(5). 400-21. Doi: 10.1080/10971475.2019.1617928
  42. Zheng, C., and Huang, H. (2018). Analysis of technology diffusion in agricultural industry cluster based on system dynamics and simulation model. Journal of discrete mathematical sciences and cryptography, 21(6). 1211-4. Doi: 10.1080/09720529.2018.1525129