Is the farmer field school still relevant? Case studies from Malawi and Indonesia

The Farmer Field School (FFS) was developed by FAO in the late 1980s to build farmers’ knowledge and skills for adaptive management. The FFS was subsequently implemented in over 90 countries by a multitude of stakeholders. This research paper is of case studies conducted in Malawi and Indonesia to answer contemporary questions about the FFS, regarding its relevance at field level, its position in the institutional environment, and its contribution to rural development. The results show that the FFS remains relevant at field level, helping farmers to adapt their agricultural practices and livelihood situation to changing circumstances.  As an approach that empowers rural people, the FFS thus contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.