Impact of Farmer Field Schools on Farmer`s Adoption of Wheat Production Technical Packages in Gezira Scheme, Sudan

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of farmer field schools on adoption of technical packages of wheat production in Gezira Scheme, Sudan. Field survey was used to collect data from 50 FFS-participants of two schools (25 from each school), and also equal number from Non-FFS participants were selected for comparison. Close ended questionnaire was used in data collection. The data were statistically analyzed using (SPSS), discussed interpreted using percentage, frequency distribution and chi-squire test. The descriptive analyses showed that the FFS-participants were adopted the application of wheat production technical packages: land preparation ( First :86%, second:74%) , method of land preparation (92%),use of recommended wheat varieties (92%), seed rate(66%) , seed treatment with gaucho (86%), sowing date ( 76%), fertilizers rates(66%) ,number of irrigations(82%) , harvesting time (52%).The chi-square test showed significant association between farmer`s adoption of wheat production technical packages and their participation in FFS weekly training. From this study it can be concluded that the FFS is very effective agricultural extension approach which can be adopted to transfer knowledge, recommended cultural practices of agricultural crops to farmers, and consequently increase income of them through their participation in various FFS activities. The study recommends that FFS should become national policy, share authority of extension organizations in finance, control and execution of FFS activities with farmer unions and other partners for more effective participations of farmers in all activities of the schools and the current curriculum of FFS should be developed.