Impact of Farmer Field Schools Participation on the Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices among Maize Farmers in Kamonyi District, Rwanda

Abstract

Farmer Field School (FFS) is a participatory extension approach widely used to strengthen smallholder farmers' knowledge and encourage the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices. This study assessed the impact of FFS participation on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among maize farmers in Runda and Rugalika sectors of Kamonyi District, Rwanda, over the period 2020–2024. A cross-sectional design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to 301 maize farmers selected by systematic random sampling, complemented by key informant interviews with extension officers and community leaders. Quantitative data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Nearly all respondents (98.3%) had participated in FFS during the study period, with most attending sessions every season (80.7%) and participating for more than two years (86.4%). Participation was associated with strong self-reported knowledge gains, with 94.7% of farmers reporting improved understanding of sustainable maize farming practices. Adoption of the practices promoted through FFS was correspondingly high: soil erosion control measures reached moderate-to-full adoption among 88.3% of respondents, organic manure/compost use among 79.4%, and crop rotation and diversification among 77.7%. Pearson correlations showed statistically significant positive relationships (p < 0.05) between all FFS participation indicators and adoption outcomes, with frequency of attendance (r = 0.79) and knowledge increase (r = 0.81) most strongly associated with overall change in adoption. Multiple regression showed that duration in FFS, seasons participated, attendance frequency, and knowledge increase jointly explained 72.1% of the variance in adoption (R² = 0.721, Adjusted R² = 0.717, F(4,296) = 190.94, p < 0.001), with knowledge increase (β = 0.391) and attendance frequency (β = 0.344) being the strongest predictors. FFS participation was also associated with improved household income (96.3%) and food security (96.3%). Nonetheless, full adoption remained constrained by financial limitations, high input costs, limited land, inadequate irrigation, and restricted market access. These findings indicate that Farmer Field Schools can support farmers' knowledge development and sustainable practice adoption, and support their continued expansion alongside stronger financial and institutional backing to sustain climate-resilient maize production in Rwanda.