The number of farmer field schools in the country is expected to increase with 180 from the current 660 as the ministry of agriculture intensifies use of the approach for expanding access to agriculture technologies.

Deputy director in the department of agriculture extension services at the ministry Kenneth Chaula said at the commencement of a three-week training for extension staff that this is one of the many approaches being used for farmers to adopt new technologies for improved production in all enterprises.

“So, these particular extension workers (from Lilongwe, Dowa, Mzimba and Balaka) are going to undergo this particular training so that in the final analysis they should be able to establish the much-needed framer field schools which will give an opportunity to farmers to test and validate recommended technologies based on their localities, based on their needs,” Chaula added.

The approach is being implemented in the four districts with support from IFAD funded Sustainable Productivity Program for farmers to increase yields and economic prosperity.

“One of the critical factors for us to achieve (agriculture) productivity and commercialization is the human capital and we need human capital that is well trained but also that has the ability to implement technologies that we are promoting as a country hence this training to address capacity gaps,” Chaula added.

One of the extension staff attending the training Grace Dayo from Malingunde Extension Planning Area said such trainings help them use relevant and appropriate guidelines and policies for changing farmers mindset towards new agriculture technologies.

“Climate change has brought so many difficulties to the agriculture industry. When you are dealing with this problem, you are creating another problem. When you want to help a farmer this way, it is also opposing something according to climate change. So this training will help us on the tools how we are going to handle such situations,” she said.

Similarly, Wisdom Kanyinji, assistant veterinary officer for Chisaka EPA in Dowa believes farmer field schools are ideal for livestock farmers who cling to traditional ways of rearing livestock in households.

“Many still believe in keeping livestock for prestige. They need to change their mindset and use livestock farming for improving nutrition in the households and economic prosperity,” Kanyinji  said.

Malawi, according to Food and Agriculture Organisation is among African countries where FFS approach is being used to improve agricultural practices and these include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, where FFS has been institutionalized in national extension policies to enhance food security and economic growth.

National FFS trainer, Adams Kabango said currently there is overwhelming response from farmers demanding access to FFS approach in transforming agriculture sectors with new technologies and policies.