Field demonstrations for farmers attending the field school (UNDP Shaartuz, Shaartuz Area Office, 2 Ziyodaliev Street, Shaartuz)

Central Asian Countries Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (CACILM) (Tadjikistan)

Фермерские полевые школы

Description

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are held to fill farmer's gaps in knowledge on the use of sustainable agricultural technologies, efficient irrigation water use and prevention of land degradation using trials tailored to local conditions.

Aims / objectives: Farmer field schools are part of the UNDP-GEF project on “Demonstrating Local Responses to Combating Land Degradation and Improving Sustainable Land Management in SW Tajikistan”. They were established with the aim to address the dissemination of sustainable agricultural technologies, and the introduction of new crops. Currently, many farmers in Tajikistan may not previously have been farmers during Soviet times and therefore may lack detailed agricultural knowledge and experience.

Methods: The FFS training is voluntary and the opportunities to attend are announced at Jamoat level. Each year 4 different groups, each comprising 10 to 20 farmers are formed in 4 different Jamoats. The learning comprises a range of activities from classroom teaching to hands-on field experience. The content of the training sessions are effectively adapted to the relevant season and crops as well as to the pests that may occur. The field school addresses some of the following topics; cultivation of winter wheat, potatoes, tomatoes and melons, adequate post harvest handling, use of trees and shelterbelts, generation of quality seeds, pest management, efficient use of irrigation water, etc. The field from which the FFS participants learn about agriculture in practice is a 0.5 ha plot provided by one of the farmers.

Stages of implementation: Before the start of the FFS, 4 local agronomists from target Jamoats were recruited by UNDP and sent on a study tour to Russia. These agronomists in their capacity as a Local FFS Consultant started running FFSs in each Jamoat. Initially, in conjunction with the National FFS Consultant of the SLM project, the local consultants organised several meetings with local farmers in order to identify their training needs. Taking into account the needs of farmers the curricula was prepared and the training schedule was agreed with the farmers/participants.

Role of stakeholders: The project engaged women who are generally considered landless and vulnerable. They were involved in the demo plots on the basis of agreement signed between a local women’s group and a farmer, who owned the land. According to this agreement 70% of the harvest is distributed among the women, and 30% remains for farmer. In addition, many training sessions on pest management, planting of tomatoes, potatoes etc were delivered to women at the demo plot. To ensure food security at the household level training on canning, preparation of juice and how to make jam were conducted. However, more male than female farmers participated in the FFS. This is linked to the fact that the role of male farmers on Dehkan farms is to take decisions on cropping patterns and instruct other farmers. Therefore better dissemination of knowledge is expected from male farmers participating.

Other important information: The project has been efficient in providing micro-loans through an agreement with the micro-loan organisation “Rushdi Obshoron” for agricultural purposes in all four Jamoats, In total, 100,000USD has been distributed to 4 Jamoats.

Lieu

Lieu: Shaartuz, Khatlon, Tadjikistan

Géo-référence des sites sélectionnés
  • 68.135, 37.266

Date de démarrage: 2007

Année de fin de l'Approche: 2011

Type d'Approche
Field demonstrations for farmers attending the field school (UNDP Shaartuz (Shaartuz Area Office, 2 Ziyodaliev Street, Shaartuz))
Farmers attending a lecture during the field school (UNDP Shaartuz (Shaartuz Area Office, 2 Ziyodaliev Street, Shaartuz))

Objectifs de l'approche et environnement favorable

Principaux objectifs de l'Approche
The Approach focused mainly on other activities than SLM (agricultural production, market regulation, value chain development, seed multiplication )

The main aim of the approach is to support a change in mindset from a collective farming (Kolhoz) approach led by the state, onto private farmers putting more responsibility with the land users themselves. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, many collective farms disintegrated and as a result of land reforms, the Dehkan farms came into being. People without an agricultural background could set up their own Dehkan farms and become farmers. However, a lack of knowledge and expertise frequently led to inappropriate land use which has contributed to land degradation. The objectives of FFS are to provide training sessions to farmers to improve their knowledge of better farming practices and the more rational use of land and water resources.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: lack of technical agricultural and ‘market economy’ knowledge, poverty
Conditions favorisant la mise en oeuvre de la/(des) Technologie(s) appliquée(s) sous l'Approche
Conditions entravant la mise en oeuvre de la/(des) Technologie(s) appliquée(s) sous l'Approche
  • Normes et valeurs sociales/ culturelles/ religieuses : Many women in the region do not own their own land and can therefore be very vulnerable Treatment through the SLM Approach: They were involved in the FFS receiving special training on pest management, planting of tomatoes, potatoes, vegetable canning, preparation of juice etc. A benefit sharing agreement was signed between the women’s group and the farmer who owned the land
  • Disponibilité/ accès aux ressources et services financiers: Lack of financial resources to buy fuel, fertilisers, livestock etc. Treatment through the SLM Approach: A microloan organisation is providing credit loans from 2000-9000 Somoni (450-2,000 USD)
  • Cadre juridique (régime foncier, droits d'utilisation des terres et de l'eau): The existing land ownership, land use rights / water rights moderately hindered the approach implementation Initially, farmers had no freedom to farm, meaning they were not allowed to choose which crops they would grow, however, after the economic crisis this changed.
  • Connaissances sur la GDT, accès aux supports techniques: In general farmer’s agricultural knowledge is weak. Especially as after the collapse of the Soviet Union anybody could get some land and become a farmer, even people who did not have a traditional farming background and therefore no agricultural knowledge Treatment through the SLM Approach: In the field schools farmers are receiving training about new agricultural technologies and have the chance to get advice about their particular problems
  • Autre: No quality seeds were available Treatment through the SLM Approach: UNDP provided seeds and ensured that a multiplication mechanism took place

Participation et rôles des parties prenantes impliquées dans l'Approche

Parties prenantes impliquées dans l'Approche et rôles
Quels acteurs/ organismes d'exécution ont été impliqués dans l'Approche? Spécifiez les parties prenantes Décrivez le rôle des parties prenantes
exploitants locaux des terres / communautés locales Local agronomists from Jamoat level were sent to Russia on a study trip to learn from Russian experiences with sustainable land management Landless women, individual farmers Only 1/3 of the participants were women. This is linked to the fact that the role of male farmers on Dehkan farms is to take decisions on cropping patterns and instruct other farmers. Therefore better dissemination of knowledge is expected from male farmers participating. Landless women who are very vulnerable.
Spécialistes de la GDT/ conseillers agricoles International specialists National and local level consultants
ONG National agronomists working as consultants for UNDP
organisation internationale UNDP
Organisme chef de file
UNDP
Participation des exploitants locaux des terres/ communautés locales aux différentes phases de l'Approche
aucun
passive
soutien extérieur
interactive
auto-mobilisation
initiation/ motivation
planification
mise en œuvre
Farmers only participated in FFS and were not involved in developing the content of training
suivi/ évaluation
No monitoring of the theoretical part of the approach took place, monitoring of land users success in applying the taught practices included interactive participation of land users.
Research
Some research on crop performance was undertaken with interactive involvement of land users.
Diagramme/ organigramme

Before the start of the FFS 4 local agronomists from target Jamoats were recruited by UNDP and sent on a study tour to Russia. These local FFS consultants then started running a FFS in each Jamoat.

Auteur : Julie Zähringer (Baumackerstr. 51, 8050 Zürich)
Prises de décision pour la sélection de la Technologie de GDT

Les décisions ont été prises par

  • les exploitants des terres seuls (auto-initiative)
  • principalement les exploitants des terres soutenus par des spécialistes de la GDT
  • tous les acteurs concernés dans le cadre d'une approche participative
  • principalement les spécialistes de la GDT, après consultation des exploitants des terres
  • les spécialistes de la GDT seuls
  • les responsables politiques/ dirigeants

Les décisions ont été prises sur la base de

  • l'évaluation de connaissances bien documentées en matière de GDT (prises de décision fondées sur des preuves tangibles)?
  • les résultats de recherches?
  • expériences et opinions personnelles (non documentées)

Soutien technique, renforcement des capacités et gestion des connaissances

Les activités ou services suivants ont fait partie de l'approche
Renforcement des capacités/ formation
La formation a été dispensée aux parties prenantes suivantes
  • exploitants des terres
  • personnels/ conseillers de terrain
Formats de la formation
  • sur le tas
  • entre agriculteurs (d'exploitants à exploitants)
  • zones de démonstration
  • réunions publiques
  • cours
Sujets abordés

Sustainable irrigation water use, integrated crop management, tree planting for biodrainage, preventing gully formation, crop storage, effective seed production, pest management

Service de conseils
Le service de conseils était fourni
  • dans les champs des exploitants?
  • dans des centres permanents
Farmer Field Schools: Key elements: Classroom courses, Farmer to farmer visits, Demonstration plots; Research is done on demonstration plots. Farmer to farmer visits are needed for an exchange of experience between different farmers.

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; As they were provided with adequate training, the local level consultants are now able to continue holding training in farmer field schools. If the provision of micro-loans and the pay-back scheme keep working, funding will be available to ensure continuation.
Renforcement des institutions
Institutions ont été renforcées ou mises en place
  • non
  • oui, un peu
  • oui, modérément
  • oui, beaucoup
au niveau suivant
  • local
  • régional
  • national
Décrivez l'institution, ses rôles et responsabilités, ses membres, etc.
Type de soutien
  • financier
  • renforcement des capacités/ formation
  • équipement
Plus de détails
infrastructure, classrooms
Suivi et évaluation
technical aspects were regular monitored by project staff through measurements; indicators: on farm productivity bio-physical aspects were ad hoc monitored by land users through observations; indicators: market situation economic / production aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations; indicators: None no. of land users involved aspects were regular monitored by project staff through measurements; indicators: None There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: None There were several changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Exchange of experiences between different Jamoats (Jamoats differed in types of crops cultivated).
Recherche
La recherche a traité les sujets suivants
  • sociologie
  • économie/ marketing
  • écologie
  • technologie

Experiments about intercropping of different crop species. Local consultants also undertook research on marketing of different crops, which crop should be grown, and when for example, in order to achieve the best prices.

Research was carried out on-farm

Financement et soutien matériel externe

Budget annuel en dollars US de la composante GDT
  • < 2 000
  • 2 000-10 000
  • 10 000-100 000
  • 100 000-1 000 000
  • > 1 000 000
Precise annual budget: sans objet
Approach costs were met by the following donors: international (GEF / UNDP): 100.0%
Les services ou mesures incitatives suivantes ont été fournis aux exploitants des terres
  • Soutiens financiers/ matériels fournis aux exploitants des terres
  • Subventions pour des intrants spécifiques
  • Crédits
  • Autres incitations ou instruments
en partie financé
entièrement financé
main d'œuvre

Salary of consultants

intrants agricoles: semences

classrooms

Study trip for local consultants to Russia

La main d'oeuvre fournie par les exploitants des terres était

Crédits

Analyses d'impact et conclusions

Impacts de l'Approche
Non
Oui, un peu
Oui, modérément
Oui, beaucoup
Est-ce que l'Approche a aidé les exploitants des terres à mettre en œuvre et entretenir les Technologies de GDT?

More holistic thinking, including crop selection, cultural practices, conservation, integrated pest management etc. However, the number of farmers participating in field schools is still somewhat limited.

Est-ce que l'Approche a autonomisé les groupes socialement et économiquement défavorisés?

Landless women were engaged in the field schools. The women groups kept 70% of the crop yield, while 30% was paid to the landowner of the demonstration plot. Food security increased for the women.

Est-ce que l'Approche a amélioré les questions foncières et des droits d'utilisation qui entravent la mise en œuvre des Technologies?

The approach could not reduce the problem, it was a governmental decision. The problem is likely to be overcome in the near future.

Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?

The approach has not yet been disseminated over the country.

Principale motivation des exploitants des terres pour mettre en oeuvre la GDT
  • augmenter la production
  • augmenter la rentabilité/ bénéfice, rapport coûts-bénéfices
  • réduire la dégradation des terres
  • réduire les risques de catastrophe
  • réduire la charge de travail
  • paiements/ subventions
  • règles et règlements (amendes)/ application
  • prestige, pression sociale/ cohésion sociale
  • affiliation à un mouvement/ projet/ groupe/ réseaux
  • conscience environnementale
  • coutumes et croyances, morale
  • améliorer les connaissances et compétences en GDT
  • améliorer l'esthétique
  • atténuer les conflits
  • agricultural knowledge
Durabilité des activités de l'Approche
Les exploitants des terres peuvent-ils poursuivre ce qui a été mis en oeuvre par le biais de l'Approche (sans soutien extérieur) ?
  • non
  • oui
  • incertain

Farmers who were trained in the field schools are now able to disseminate their knowledge to other farmers. For this they receive some 'in kind' contribution from the farmers they teach such as seeds etc.

Conclusions et enseignements tirés

Points forts: point de vue de l'exploitant des terres
  • Increased crop yields lead to increased family budget (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Ensure application of taught practices.)
  • The farmers feel confident about what they do and are keen to disseminate their knowledge to other farmers (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Dissemination of knowledge to other farmers so that more people can profit, for example through farmer to farmer visits)
  • The farmers know which crops to cultivate and how to adapt to the market conditions.
  • Integrated pest management helps to fight diseases and leads to better onion yield (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Apply integrated pest management on all fields.)
Points forts: point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne-ressource clé
  • The farmers are trained on the rational use of land and water resources which helps to reduce land degradation. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: An emphasis has to be put on the prevention of land degradation.)
  • Farmers from different backgrounds enrich their farming practices and fill gaps in agricultural knowledge Topics taught in FFS should be diversified and continually updated. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Topics taught in FFS should be diversified and always be up to date.)
Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques: point de vue de l'exploitant des terrescomment surmonter
Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques: point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne-ressource clécomment surmonter
  • Until now the FFS were running free of charge to the participants, however, this should be changed in order to raise more money to continue with the field schools, but farmers might not be willing to pay immediately, it takes some time before the farmers realise the significance of the FFS Farmers would be more willing to pay if they were asked for in kind contributions, rather tha cash.

Références

Compilateur
  • Firdavs Faizulloev
Editors
Examinateur
  • David Streiff
  • Alexandra Gavilano
  • Joana Eichenberger
Date de mise en oeuvre: 15 avril 2011
Dernière mise à jour: 2 novembre 2021
Personnes-ressources
Description complète dans la base de données WOCAT
Données de GDT correspondantes
La documentation a été facilitée par
Institution Projet
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareaAlike 4.0 International