Farmer field Schools and adoption of agricultural ecotechnology

Abstract

Farmer field Schools and adoption of agricultural ecotechnology.

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are a method of participative extension that allows farmers to develop analytical skills, critical thinking and creativity. This study was conducted in the Mazateca region of Oaxaca,
which is characterized by its technological backwardness. It is scientifically, socially and ecologically relevant, in this context, to assess the scope of alternative methodologies of extension in the adoption of agricultural ecotechnology. Our objective was to determine the effect of knowledge  learned  in  the  FFS  on  the  index  of  final  adoption  of  ecotechniques  generated  locally,  as  an  alternative  to  the  enormous technological dependence. The variables analyzed were index of initial adoption, initial level of knowledge, number of courses given in the FFS, index of final adoption, and final level of knowledge. A total of 135 questionnaires were applied to a sample of two participating strata and a control group. To test our hypotheses, the results were subjected to an analysis of variation and correlation. We found that only the index of final adoption had increases that were statistically significant, relative to the initial condition, attributed to their participation in the FFS and  the  consequent  increase  in  knowledge  of  ecotechnology.  This  suggests  that  the  proposed  methodology  increases  adoption  of ecotechniques generated locally, and can consolidate as an alternative paradigm in agricultural extension.