Effectiveness of the farmer-field-school approach in small-scale mixed crop-livestock systems in Burundi

Abstract

Dairy farming is one of the means to meet the growing demand for milk and reduce rural poverty in developing countries. To improve its productivity, many agricultural approaches have been tried, including the Farmer-Field-School (FFS) approach. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of this approach in terms of the adoption of new technologies introduced in small-scale mixed crop livestock systems in Burundi to improve its productivity. A survey was carried out among 98 FFS members and 78 non-members. Technology adoption rates were calculated among FFS and non-FFS members, as well as annual profits per cow. The results showed higher adoption rates among FFS respondents compared to non-FFS respondents for cemented barn floors, traditional lick-blocks, and manure composting, whereas fertilisation of fodder crops, treatment of hay with molasses/urea, and concentrate making were less adopted for the two groups. The annual gross margin was higher for the FFS-group (median: 654 US$) compared to the non-FFS one (median: 542 US$). The study showed that the dissemination of new technologies among non-supported, non-FFS farmers remained low. It is concluded from the results that FFS approach brings about a positive change in farmers’ behaviour towards adopting improved technologies. However, the results identified a number of constraints limiting the effectiveness of this approach including the low availability of inputs, the low financial capacities of farmers, and the complexity and/or the high price of certain technologies. Our results may provide useful information for strengthening the FFS approach in Burundi. For instance, a consistent financial support and follow-up are important for the sustainability of FFS practices. Harmonizing the market prices along the milk value chain is also proposed to increase incomes from the sale of milk.