Participatory Nature of Farmer Field School Extension Approach as Compared with other Approaches in Edo and Ondo States, Nigeria

Abstract

The study compares FFS extension approach with other major participatory approaches practiced in Edo and Ondo States, Nigeria. By means of a well structured and validated questionnaire, data were collected from 145 FFS farmers who had also been exposed to other participatory approaches. Data collected were analysed using various statistical tools like means, standard deviation and analysis of variance.  The result shows that respondents perceived FFS as a better extension approach than any other extension approach. Respondents rated FFS higher than other approaches as they strongly agreed with all the statements that FFS has all the features of participatory extension (X = 4.51 to X = 4.95). On the other hand, Farming System Research was perceived by the respondents to slightly satisfy the features of participatory extension but FSR does not involve adult learning principles. Respondents did not perceive T & V and UAES to contain participatory extension approach as they disagreed with almost all the statements for the two extension approaches. The result of the analysis of variance indicates that there were significant differences among the four extension approaches (F = 3851 .513; P <0.05). A further analysis of the comparisons between the various extension approaches using Duncan Multiple Range Test shows that there was a significant difference between FFS and other extension approaches. It was concluded that FFS is more participatory and recommended among others that it be extended to all farmers.

Keywords: Farmer field school, Participatory, Extension approach, comparison