The influence of farmer field schools on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in Mbinga and Mbeya Rural districts, Tanzania.

PhD Thesis

The Farmer Field Schools (FFS) extension approach has been implemented in Mbinga and Mbeya Rural Districts on a pilot basis for over 10 years. Despite the FFS extension approach being in use for over 10 years, its link with household livelihoods has not been well established in the Tanzanian context. The main objective of the study was to investigate how the Farmer Field School approach influenced the adoption of agricultural innovations, crop productivity and livelihoods of farmers. Specifically, the study intended to: (i) Assess the modalities used in the formation and implementation of FFS in the delivery of extension services; (ii) Examine the influence of FFS on the adoption of farm innovations including intensification, diversification and extensification of agricultural production; (iii) Identify factors influencing FFS on farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing and learning about agricultural technologies; (iv) Assess the influence of FFS on social capital including formation of networks of farmer groups and strengthening of gender participation and (v) Determine the effects of FFS on productivity, food security, and incomes of the participating farmers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 270 randomly selected respondents. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme. A binary logistic model was used to test the effect of FFS on crop productivity of the respondents. A t-test was employed to test if there was statistically significant difference in crop productivity between FFS and non-FFS participating farmers. The results revealed that there was increase in crop productivity through FFS approach. It was further observed that, there is a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001) in cropiii productivity between FFS and non-FFS participating farmers. The study concludes that through FFS approach farmers had increased their crop productivity, food security and income. The study recommends that the FFS approach should be used as an extension approach, but more efforts should be put on improving the implementation of FFS activities in terms of training of extension staff and there should be reliable financial support from the government.