Organization of Kissan Field Schools in Selected Value Chains. To address the productivity gap and quality assurance right from the point of production it is imperative to have necessary skills and capacity of farmers. ASF will sub-contract reputable implementation of a dedicated Kissan Field Schools (KFS) program, the concept evolved from Farmer Field Schools (FFS), pioneered by FAO. KFS is different from FFS on two accounts, firstly under the KFS the overwhelming focus will be on small holders producers (locally known as kissans-small farmers as opposed to zamindars-farmers) and secondly it will explore opportunities for the KFS participants to be linked to markets. The KFS will be undertaken within the priority sub-sectors / value chains on nationwide basis. The farmers generally lack knowledge and awareness of modern production techniques, and need practical training and extension to support development of the primary activities. The approach of the FFS has proven to be highly successful in providing farmers with improved agronomic, post- harvest, and integrated pest management practices, and leads to formation of farmer groups that are able to access required extension advice from public and private sector providers. The Project will build on the concept of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) with a value chain emphasis, so that farmers gain a view of the entire commodity chain and their role in it, to better leverage their role, and to graduate successfully from a subsistence orientation to production for market adopting to business orientation. Using the FFS methodology, an effort will be made to form farmer groups to learn about new techniques, efficient farming practices, new seed varieties/livestock breed, post production handling and packaging, storage, transportation, crop/livestock management and other aspects of agribusiness that can improve their incomes and position their products in the market. Depending on the type of selected sub-sector and value chain, the participant producers will be provided training as well as other necessary support under each KFS to upgrade their practices. Overall, this sub-component will focus on building the knowledge, skills, and technological aspects of farming with a view to enhance productivity of smallholders and to integrate them into market systems. Each KFS will work at the village level with 25-30 local producers linked to particular value chain operators. KFS sites that are broadly representative of the village’s fields meeting the following criteria - 1) accessible to mo...
Organization of Kissan Field Schools in Selected Value Chains. To address the productivity gap and quality assurance right from the point of production it is imperative to have necessary skills and capacity of farmers. KFS will be held for the FEG members and farmers from the surrounding areas and will be focused on the 16 value chains identified for FY-13.
