IMPACT OF FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS ON AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

                                                                  ABSTRACT
Farmer Field Schools (FFS) have become a key tool in exchanging agricultural knowledge especially to the rural women who play an important role in the agricultural sector of Nigeria. This paper will look at the effectiveness of FFS in regards to knowledge sharing to rural women in Anambra State, Nigeria with respect to how much it builds skills, the factors that enhance knowledge among farmers and the positive and negative aspects with regard to adopting it as perceived by rural women. A mixed methodology was implemented to collect data in 120 female FFS participants, 30 facilitators and 15 extension officers in six FFS sites in the three senatorial zones of Anambra state. The quantitative methodology, conducted with the help of SPSS, showed that there were significant changes in enhancing the technical skill of women and incorporating modern practices, whereas qualitative results conducted during focus group discussions, by means of NVivo, showed barriers that included low access to resources and certain cultural limits. Results show that FFS are highly effective in knowledge transfer but there is need to incorporate gender-responsive strategies to curb the participation barrier. Recommendations are focused training and better access to resources in order to maximize FFS effects. This research presents a policy and practice contribution towards gender-equitable agricultural productivity in Nigeria.