The Role of Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) in Improving Access to Agricultural Extension Services to Smallholder Farmers in Iringa Rural District, Tanzania

Abstract

Innovative and holistic approaches, such as the Farmers Field and Business School (FFBS), are essential for advancing agricultural practices and improving smallholder farmer livelihoods. In Tanzania, while evidence suggests that FFBS enhances access to extension services, its specific role remains undocumented. This study used an exploratory sequential mixed method to explore FFBS's role in improving smallholder farmers' access to extension services. The study involved 43 FFBS beneficiaries from CARE International’s FFBS scale-up project, selected through snowball sampling until data were saturated. This approach was chosen due to the challenges of accessing a comprehensive list of active participants and of ensuring that diverse perspectives are included. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), document review, and observation. Findings suggest that FFBS significantly enhances access to extension services through capacity-building in agronomy, climate resilience through sustainable agricultural practices, market linkages, gender empowerment, and information dissemination. The FFBS programme utilizes innovative experiential learning techniques, including hands-on training in sustainable agricultural practices, to equip farmers with practical knowledge and skills. Despite the positive outcomes, FFBS has not fully facilitated the transition of smallholder farming into large-scale commercial agriculture, highlighting challenges in scaling up production. The study suggests that all FFBS elements need to be fully applied to realize their innovative benefits. Policy implications include the need to improve resource access, particularly capital, technology, and markets for smallholder farmers, integrate FFBS into national extension programs, and promote gender-inclusive capacity-building to scale up agricultural productivity and sustainability.