FARMER’S FIELD FARMER’S FIELD SCHOOL ON IPMSCHOOL ON IPM

DR. JASVIR SINGH, DR. JASVIR SINGH, Central Integrated Pest Management Central Integrated Pest Management

Centre,Centre, Bhawani Estate, Tanda Road, Bhawani Estate, Tanda Road,

Jalandhar (Punjab)Jalandhar (Punjab)

**Indiscriminate and excessive use Indiscriminate and excessive use of pesticides resulted into several of pesticides resulted into several adverse effects like pest adverse effects like pest resistance to pesticides, pest resistance to pesticides, pest resurgence, destruction of resurgence, destruction of natural enemies, ecological natural enemies, ecological imbalance and environmental imbalance and environmental pollution, besides increased cost pollution, besides increased cost of crop production. of crop production.

• Integrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is adopted for safe and (IPM) is adopted for safe and sustainable agriculture. sustainable agriculture.

•Farmer’s Field Schools- cum- Farmer’s Field Schools- cum- demonstrations are effective demonstrations are effective for transfer of IPM technology for transfer of IPM technology to the farmers. to the farmers.

• This strengthens the role of farmers in This strengthens the role of farmers in the researcher-extensionist-farmer chain. the researcher-extensionist-farmer chain.

• The school provides farmers with tools The school provides farmers with tools which enable them to analyse their own which enable them to analyse their own production practices.production practices.

• Farmer’s Field School is a season long Farmer’s Field School is a season long programme which is organized in programme which is organized in farmer’s field by meeting once in a week. farmer’s field by meeting once in a week.

• It is season long so that it covers all the It is season long so that it covers all the different developmental stages of the different developmental stages of the crop and their related management crop and their related management practices. practices.

• The training strategy, having The training strategy, having its foundation in non-formal its foundation in non-formal education principles, education principles,

emphasizes emphasizes “Learning by “Learning by doing”doing” and empowering and empowering farmers to take adequate farmers to take adequate decision on pest decision on pest management measures management measures needed. possible solutionsneeded. possible solutions. .

COMPONENT OF IPMCOMPONENT OF IPM

• Grow a healthy crop: vGrow a healthy crop: varietal arietal selection, soil preparation, plant selection, soil preparation, plant nutrition and physiology, water and nutrition and physiology, water and weed management.weed management.

• Conserve natural enemies: Conserve natural enemies: Recognizing beneficials in the field, Recognizing beneficials in the field, learning insect population dynamics etc.learning insect population dynamics etc.

• Observe the field Weekly: Observe the field Weekly: Including Including recognition of damage symptoms, recognition of damage symptoms, changes in insect populations, changes in insect populations, evaluation of plant growth and evaluation of plant growth and physiology, relationships between plant physiology, relationships between plant stages and insect populations, effects of stages and insect populations, effects of weather conditions and water and weather conditions and water and nutrient management. nutrient management.

• Farmers as IPM expertsFarmers as IPM experts: Farmers : Farmers become expert in decision making become expert in decision making based on agro-ecosystem analysis and based on agro-ecosystem analysis and identify the pests and defenders. identify the pests and defenders.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF BASIC ELEMENTS OF FFSFFS

• The FFS consists of a group of 30 farmers The FFS consists of a group of 30 farmers and 5 agriculture extension officers.and 5 agriculture extension officers.

• The FFS is field based and lasts for at The FFS is field based and lasts for at least one cropping season (seeding to least one cropping season (seeding to harvest) (14-15 weeks).harvest) (14-15 weeks).

• The FFS farmers have regular weekly The FFS farmers have regular weekly meeting during the cropping season.meeting during the cropping season.

• In the FFS, farmers conduct a study In the FFS, farmers conduct a study comparing IPM strategy with common comparing IPM strategy with common farmer’s practices. They have an IPM and farmer’s practices. They have an IPM and a Farmer’s Practice plot (Non-IPM).a Farmer’s Practice plot (Non-IPM).

• The FFS includes special topics that deal with The FFS includes special topics that deal with specific issues selected by the farmers.specific issues selected by the farmers.

• Each meeting includes at least an Agro-Each meeting includes at least an Agro-ecosystem Analysis (AESA) conducted in the ecosystem Analysis (AESA) conducted in the field ending with a discussion of crop field ending with a discussion of crop management decision.management decision.

• FFS educational methods are experimental, FFS educational methods are experimental, participatory, learner-centered and based on participatory, learner-centered and based on non-formal education.non-formal education.

• The FFS group is guided by at least one The FFS group is guided by at least one facilitator offering experimental learning facilitator offering experimental learning opportunities, rather than delivering top-down opportunities, rather than delivering top-down instruction.instruction.

METHOD OF METHOD OF EDUCATIONEDUCATION

•The method of education The method of education in FFS is mainly based on in FFS is mainly based on non-formal education. non-formal education.

•There are many There are many differences between differences between formal and non-formal formal and non-formal education.education.

FORMAL EDUCATIONFORMAL EDUCATION •* Teacher* Teacher

•* Teacher is the centre of instruction* Teacher is the centre of instruction

•* Information * Information pushpush (teacher (teacher decides decides

what trainees are being taught).what trainees are being taught).

•* Teacher has to prepare all * Teacher has to prepare all sessions.sessions.

•* Trainees are passive receivers of * Trainees are passive receivers of

information. information.

NON-FORMAL NON-FORMAL EDUCATIONEDUCATION • FacilitatorFacilitator

• Participants can give inputsParticipants can give inputs

• Information Information pullpull (focus on actual (focus on actual information needs)information needs)

• Facilitator ensures that participants learn Facilitator ensures that participants learn basic contents and involves participants to basic contents and involves participants to determine additional learning goals.determine additional learning goals.

• Informal, open exchange, equal chance to Informal, open exchange, equal chance to participants.participants.

• Facilitator is a group member.Facilitator is a group member.

• Facilitator can use inputs of the group.Facilitator can use inputs of the group.

• Questions from the group can be Questions from the group can be answered by the group answered by the group (discussion/sharing of experiences, (discussion/sharing of experiences, setting up experiments, inviting setting up experiments, inviting resource persons etc.)resource persons etc.)

• Working in small groups. Working in small groups.

The basic principle of FFS is:The basic principle of FFS is:

• “ “If I hear it, I forget it.If I hear it, I forget it.

• If I see it, I remember it.If I see it, I remember it.

• If I do it, I believe it for If I do it, I believe it for life.”life.”

STEPS FOR ORGANIZING STEPS FOR ORGANIZING FFS:FFS:1.1. Selection of demonstration siteSelection of demonstration site::--All weather approachable locations/ All weather approachable locations/ sites/ villages are selected. The plot size sites/ villages are selected. The plot size in each site should be preferably 40 ha in each site should be preferably 40 ha for rice and 10 ha for cotton and other for rice and 10 ha for cotton and other crops. Intensively cultivated and irrigated crops. Intensively cultivated and irrigated areas should be given preferences as areas should be given preferences as these are pest prone areas. these are pest prone areas.

-The demonstration sites/locations should -The demonstration sites/locations should have the history of having one or two have the history of having one or two major pest problems. major pest problems.

2. Bench Mark Survey:2. Bench Mark Survey:

A bench mark survey should be conducted A bench mark survey should be conducted in the villages selected for FFS before in the villages selected for FFS before commencement of the programme so as to commencement of the programme so as to assess the pest problems, level of pesticide assess the pest problems, level of pesticide usage, varieties grown, size of holding and usage, varieties grown, size of holding and the social and economic level of the the social and economic level of the farmers.farmers.

3.3. Meeting with farmersMeeting with farmers: :

• To start a FFS, the first step is to organize To start a FFS, the first step is to organize the introductory meeting with the the introductory meeting with the farmers and collect basic information farmers and collect basic information about the crop and their problems. about the crop and their problems.

• Introduce the concept of IPMIntroduce the concept of IPM

• Explain the training processExplain the training process– Participatory Participatory

– PracticalPractical– Learning by doingLearning by doing– ExperimentingExperimenting

• Selection of Trainees: Selection of Trainees:

For each FFS, 30 farmers along with 5 For each FFS, 30 farmers along with 5 progressive farmers/NGOs/Extension progressive farmers/NGOs/Extension functionaries are selected as trainee. functionaries are selected as trainee. The farmers should be selected from all The farmers should be selected from all income groups and preference should income groups and preference should be given to SC/STs and women farmers. be given to SC/STs and women farmers. All the trainees should be provided with All the trainees should be provided with IPM Kit (Annexure-I). IPM Kit (Annexure-I).

• Preparation of action plan:Preparation of action plan:

The facilitator (trainer) should be well The facilitator (trainer) should be well conversant with the local problems conversant with the local problems and able to convince the farmers. and able to convince the farmers. Timing of the FFS may be as the Timing of the FFS may be as the convenient of the trainees and convenient of the trainees and facilitator. Tentative programme for facilitator. Tentative programme for 14 consecutive weeks should be 14 consecutive weeks should be chalked out including all the chalked out including all the curriculum activities of IPM.curriculum activities of IPM.

• 6.6. Ballot Box Test:Ballot Box Test:

To test farmers at the beginning of To test farmers at the beginning of an FFS use “Ballot Box Test”. It is an FFS use “Ballot Box Test”. It is not really about testing the farmer’s not really about testing the farmer’s knowledge, but rather a way of knowledge, but rather a way of showing them the gaps in their showing them the gaps in their knowledge as a way of preparing knowledge as a way of preparing them for what they can expect to them for what they can expect to learn during the FFS.learn during the FFS.

• 7.7. One day schedule of FFS: One day schedule of FFS:

The IPM Field Schools meets throughout The IPM Field Schools meets throughout the cropping season once in a week in the cropping season once in a week in order that participants can observe and order that participants can observe and analyse the dynamics of the field analyse the dynamics of the field ecology across a full season. Each ecology across a full season. Each meeting consists of a set pattern of meeting consists of a set pattern of activities; agro-ecosystem field activities; agro-ecosystem field observation, analysis and presentation; observation, analysis and presentation; special topics and group dynamics. The special topics and group dynamics. The tentative one day schedule of the FFS tentative one day schedule of the FFS may be as followed: may be as followed:

OpeningOpening• IntroductionIntroduction• AttendanceAttendance• Day’s briefing of activitiesDay’s briefing of activities• 9.00 Visit of field in small groups9.00 Visit of field in small groups• Make observations that are noted by the facilitator Make observations that are noted by the facilitator

and one other person in the group. Facilitators and one other person in the group. Facilitators points out interesting new developments.points out interesting new developments.

• 10.00 Return to the shade. Begin making Agro-10.00 Return to the shade. Begin making Agro-Ecosystem Analysis, drawing Ecosystem Analysis, drawing

and discuss management decision.and discuss management decision.– Each team presents results and group arrives at a Each team presents results and group arrives at a

consensus on management needs for the coming consensus on management needs for the coming week.week.

– Tea BreakTea Break– Group Dynamics (Energiser)Group Dynamics (Energiser)– Special study topic related to farmers problem Special study topic related to farmers problem

(rodent control, micro-nutrient deficiency, health (rodent control, micro-nutrient deficiency, health and safety, water and fertilizer management) and safety, water and fertilizer management)

• Closing with the planning of next week Closing with the planning of next week programme.programme.

• Preparation of tentative IPM Preparation of tentative IPM Package/ Practices: Package/ Practices:

Keeping in view the past history of the Keeping in view the past history of the crop sequence, agronomic practices and crop sequence, agronomic practices and the varieties grown and pest problems, the varieties grown and pest problems, a tentative package of IPM outlines for a tentative package of IPM outlines for specific area should tentatively describe specific area should tentatively describe the likely steps to be adopted right from the likely steps to be adopted right from the field preparation, selection of seeds the field preparation, selection of seeds to the harvest and evaluation of the to the harvest and evaluation of the harvest harvest

• Information of Non-IPM field:Information of Non-IPM field:

Farmer’s practices on the same crop Farmer’s practices on the same crop should be observed as Non-IPM field should be observed as Non-IPM field records for comparing the field data for records for comparing the field data for evaluation.evaluation.

• Documentation and records:Documentation and records:

At each demonstration site, the At each demonstration site, the facilitator should maintain a record of facilitator should maintain a record of all the activities including yield all the activities including yield undertaken in the register and it undertaken in the register and it should be shown to the visiting should be shown to the visiting officers for their comments and officers for their comments and advise. The data will be used to work advise. The data will be used to work out cost benefit ration to compare out cost benefit ration to compare IPM and Non-IPM field.IPM and Non-IPM field.

• Farmer’s Field Day:Farmer’s Field Day: The Farmer’s Field Day is to be organized The Farmer’s Field Day is to be organized

after 14 weeks of training wherein after 14 weeks of training wherein detailed discussions among the trainee detailed discussions among the trainee farmers and the trainer takes place on farmers and the trainer takes place on various aspects including the success various aspects including the success story as well as on the points of failures. story as well as on the points of failures. On the farmer’s field day, other farmers, On the farmer’s field day, other farmers, local officers and other important persons local officers and other important persons from NGOs, Agriculture and Co-from NGOs, Agriculture and Co-operatives etc. should be invited. Crop operatives etc. should be invited. Crop cutting experiment should also be cutting experiment should also be organized so as to compare the yield in organized so as to compare the yield in the IPM and Non-IPM plots.the IPM and Non-IPM plots.

• Funding/Financing of FFS:Funding/Financing of FFS:

The Union Department of Agriculture & The Union Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is financing the FFS, IPM Cooperation is financing the FFS, IPM demo-cum training programme. The demo-cum training programme. The fund will be channelised through the fund will be channelised through the Central IPM Centers located in the Central IPM Centers located in the States/UTs. The expenditure as States/UTs. The expenditure as approved by the Govt. @ Rs.17,000 for approved by the Govt. @ Rs.17,000 for one FFS for various items of one FFS for various items of expenditure (Annexure-II). expenditure (Annexure-II).

LIST OF IPM KIT : SPECIFICATIONS

Sl. Sl. No.No.

ItemItem Quantity Quantity SpecificationsSpecifications

1.1. Insect Sweep NetInsect Sweep Net 11 Steel ring 5mm thickness 37.5 cm diameter with 37.5 cm flap & 60 Steel ring 5mm thickness 37.5 cm diameter with 37.5 cm flap & 60 cm long conical bag made of markin cloth and a sturdy 1 meter long cm long conical bag made of markin cloth and a sturdy 1 meter long handle of 2.5 cm diameter. Ring cover flap made of jean cloth handle of 2.5 cm diameter. Ring cover flap made of jean cloth

2.2. Hand Lens (10x)Hand Lens (10x) 11 Steel framed box (folded)Steel framed box (folded)

3.3. BrushBrush 11 Camel hair 3 No.Camel hair 3 No.

4.4. Watch glassWatch glass 11 7.5 cm diameter7.5 cm diameter

5.5. Plastic vialsPlastic vials 55 7.5x2.5 cm with lid7.5x2.5 cm with lid

6.6. Dissecting needleDissecting needle 22 With plastic handleWith plastic handle

7.7. Poly bagsPoly bags 1010 30x20 cm30x20 cm

8.8. Rubber bandsRubber bands 2020 2.5 cm2.5 cm

9.9. Note bookNote book 11 20x13 cm, 40 pages20x13 cm, 40 pages

10.10. Ball PenBall Pen 11 15 Cm with cap15 Cm with cap

11.11. Cello TapeCello Tape 11 1.5 cm x 9 meter1.5 cm x 9 meter

12.12. Drawing PenDrawing Pen 22 Blue & RedBlue & Red

13.13. IPM CapIPM Cap 11 Front cover 7.5 cm length, 16.5 cm diameter 17.5 cm elastic trap & Front cover 7.5 cm length, 16.5 cm diameter 17.5 cm elastic trap & tight and loose system with national IPM emblem embossing tight and loose system with national IPM emblem embossing

14.14. IPM Kit BagIPM Kit Bag 11 Made of jean cloth 35 cmx30 cm having 5 cm depth with 90 cm Made of jean cloth 35 cmx30 cm having 5 cm depth with 90 cm shoulder sling national IPM emblem embossing.shoulder sling national IPM emblem embossing.

15.15. Drawing sheetDrawing sheet 22 Full size (75 x 55 cm)Full size (75 x 55 cm)

THANKSTHANKS