What is Farmer to Farmer Extension (F2FE)?
Figure 1: F2F learning & discussion on Maize-legume intercropping trials at Kachali, Kacheche, Ekwendeni, Mzimba sites (Malawi)
Farmer to farmer extension (F2FE) is a participatory action, where smallholder farmers and other marginalized groups identify their own problems and develop their own solutions, teach each other’s, and share their experiences and knowledge (Bezner Kerr et al., 2018). Farmers and/or other marginalized groups are fully involved in the research and extension process through practical sessions such as recipe days, field days, and exchange visits (Figure 1).
How to implement & upscale F2FE?
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The F2FE approach starts with motivated farmers who can reflect their own knowledge and experience. The approach is implemented by establishing Farmer Participatory Research Teams (FPRTs) through the help of the soil, food, health & community organization (SFHC) which is a partner of InnovAfrica project in the case of Malawi. |
The motivated farmers serve voluntarily as facilitators and support systems to fellow farmers. They are encouraged to join the FPRTs via in-kind benefits (such as trainings, field trips, exchange visits) and through dialogue on the benefits gained by helping others |
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SFHC has been successful in implementing and upscaling F2FE in different parts of Malawi, for e.g. in Ekwendeni, Mzimba Lobi, and Dedza districts (Nyantakyi-Frimpong et al., 2017). |
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Training of Trainers
- SFHC imparts comprehensive training to FPRTs members for e.g. on adult education, participatory research methods along with agro-ecological principles and practices and other key concepts.
- The trained FPRTs members will then give trainings to the rest of fellow farmers in the community who in turn also train others.
Step 1: InnovAfrica Project staff (in Malawi) facilitate a meeting with local leaders, village committee leaders and farmers to elect farmer participatory research team member.
Step 2: Local leaders and/or village committee members identify and make short-list of potential farmer research team members taking into account the above-mentioned criteria.
Step 3: Local leaders and village committee members discuss and decide who should be a FPRT member through a democratic process.
Key Messages
The F2FE approach:
- Creates multiplier effects when FPRTs members disseminate their knowledge and skills to others;
- Helps increase the rate of adoption of different sustainable innovations;
- Increases the coverage to reach more farmers in wider area with different innovations;
- Improves farmers’ access to information and advisory services;
- Provides a forum for farmers to give feedback on challenges they are facing; but
- Could encounter some limitations such as high expectations from FPRTs members and difficulties in keeping them motivated in their roles
References & Links
Bezner Kerr, et al. (2018) Knowledge politics in participatory climate change adaptation research on agroecology in Malawi. Renewal Agriculture and Food Systems, doi.10.1017/S1742170518000017.
Nyantakyi-Frimpong, et al. (2017) A farmer-to-farmer agro-ecological approach to address food security in Malawi.