Farmer Field School Stakeholders Work Towards a Stronger National Approach

Day two of the Farmer Field School (FFS) Inception Meeting is underway, with agricultural stakeholders continuing important discussions aimed at strengthening the Farmer Field School approach across South Africa. The meeting has moved into parallel breakaway sessions where participants are examining what is needed to take FFS from a promising model to a well-coordinated national approach. The discussions are bringing together different perspectives on how Farmer Field Schools can better support farmers through practical learning, stronger agricultural extension and improved access to knowledge. Stakeholders are focusing on the systems, structures and resources needed to make the approach effective beyond individual projects or pilot areas. The broader goal is to develop a coordinated approach that can support more farmers and contribute to sustainable agricultural development and stronger food systems.

A key focus of the breakaway sessions is understanding what it will take to implement Farmer Field Schools successfully at scale. This includes establishing clear roles and responsibilities among the organisations and stakeholders involved in the programme. Strong coordination will be essential to avoid duplication, improve communication and ensure that activities are aligned with national agricultural priorities. Participants are also considering implementation plans, capacity building requirements and lessons learnt from the pilot provinces. These discussions can help identify practical challenges before the approach is expanded more widely, while also ensuring that successful experiences from the pilot provinces inform future implementation.

Farmer Field Schools are designed around practical and participatory learning, giving farmers opportunities to build knowledge through direct engagement with agricultural practices and challenges. This approach can be particularly valuable for smallholder farmers who need practical information that can be applied within their own farming operations. Rather than relying only on traditional classroom-based training, Farmer Field Schools can encourage farmers to observe, experiment, discuss results and share knowledge with their peers. This can help farmers make more informed decisions about production, resource management and sustainable farming practices. Strengthening the FFS approach therefore has the potential to improve the way agricultural knowledge reaches farmers and to make Extension and Advisory Services more responsive to their needs.

The discussions are also focusing on the draft National FFS Institutionalisation Framework, Implementation Strategy and Rollout Plan. These documents are important because they can provide direction on how Farmer Field Schools should be integrated into agricultural support systems and implemented consistently across the country. Stakeholders are examining how the proposed framework and strategy can strengthen Extension and Advisory Services while ensuring that farmers remain at the centre of the approach. Effective institutionalisation will require collaboration between government, extension professionals, agricultural organisations, development partners and farming communities. A coordinated national framework can provide a stronger foundation for delivering farmer support while allowing implementation to respond to conditions and priorities in different agricultural areas.

Capacity building remains another important part of the discussions because successful Farmer Field Schools depend on people who have the knowledge and skills to facilitate effective learning. Extension and advisory officers need appropriate training and resources to support farmers through participatory learning processes. Farmers also need access to relevant technical knowledge, practical demonstrations and information that reflects their production environments and market opportunities. Building capacity at both levels can help ensure that the FFS approach remains focused on practical results rather than becoming another programme that operates separately from farmers’ everyday needs. Strong capacity within the agricultural support system can also help improve the long-term sustainability of Farmer Field Schools as they expand into more communities.

The focus on sustainable, productive and market-oriented agricultural practices is particularly important for smallholder farmers. Improving production alone may not be enough if farmers struggle to access markets, manage costs or turn increased productivity into sustainable income. Farmer Field Schools can help farmers explore production practices while also encouraging discussions around markets, farm management and decision-making. Connecting agricultural knowledge with market opportunities can support farmers as they work to strengthen their livelihoods and contribute to local food production. A stronger and more coordinated Extension and Advisory Services system can play an important role in helping farmers access the information and support they need to make these connections.

The second day of the Farmer Field School Inception Meeting reflects a continued commitment to building an agricultural support system that places empowered farmers at its centre. The discussions around coordination, implementation, capacity building and institutionalisation are important steps towards developing a national FFS approach that can serve farmers effectively. Lessons from the pilot provinces provide valuable insight, while the draft National FFS Institutionalisation Framework, Implementation Strategy and Rollout Plan offer an opportunity to establish a clearer path for future implementation. If stakeholders continue working together around practical solutions, Farmer Field Schools can contribute to stronger Extension and Advisory Services, more sustainable farming practices and improved opportunities for smallholder farmers. The shared vision remains clear: empowered farmers, sustainable agriculture and stronger food systems that can support South Africa’s agricultural future.