Performance of the corn-based farmer-scientists research development and extension trainer program and the farmers' field school in Cebu province, Philippines
2004
Silvestre, J.C.
This study was conducted from August to September 2003 to assess the contributions of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) components of the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP) and Farmers' Field School (FFS) to the levels of knowledge, practices, and attitudes of corn farmers in Cebu, Philippines. Majority of the farmer respondents were at their prime age, married, male, high school graduates, with 4-6 members of household, land owners, and active members of civic organizations. They were cultivating 0.5 to 4.0 hectares of land. Most of them (FSTP an non-trained) did not avail of credit facilities. Results of the study show that knowledge of FSTP-trained farmer-respondents in the identification of corn diseases, weeds and insect pests damage was "high" compared to the non-trained which was "average". It was observed that the security of corn diseases weed species, and insect pest damage were almost uniform in farmer-respondents' farm and was rated "low". Furthermore, FSTP trained respondents obtained higher yield and less production cost, thus resulting in higher income and profit compared to the FFS respondents. The usefulness of the knowledge, attitude and practices on IPM principles were more evident among the trained than the non-trained farmer-respondents. The observance of health and environmental concerns in relation to the knowledge, attitude and practices of the trained farmer-respondents were consequently and significantly "higher" than the non-trained. The problems encountered by the farmer-respondents on corn production before and after training were low yield and price, while on corn-based farming, it was financial even after the FSTP and FFS interventions. Majority of farmer-respondents applied the knowledge required after the training on their own field. In addition, the FSTP liked to train other farmers. After training the FSTP and FFS farmer-respondents were equipped with technical empowerm ent, enhanced capability to undertake technology transfer, and research and extension activities compared to the non-trained. Moreover, value formation and support from local government units and state colleges and universities were distinctly provided only to FSTP farmer-respondents but not to FFS and non-trained farmer-respondents. The FSTP had positive effects on the economic, social and political conditions of the farmers.
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