Abstract:
In connection to environment friendly farming, potential stakeholders took efforts and
launched FAO-EU-ADB funded National Integrated Pest Management (Nat-IPM)
Programme for Cotton in Pakistan during the years 2001 to 2004 and introduced new
extension training methodology called Farmer Field School (FFS). The basic principle
of FFS training was to enable farmers to be self sufficient, using IPM practices
that are agro-ecosystem friendly. This study examined the performance performed
by agriculture extension field workers/facilitators (EFW/F) in the implementation
of IPM-FFS trainings with special reference to cotton crop in selected districts of
Sindh province of Pakistan. A survey study was carried out in four districts of Sindh
province (Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Matiari and Mirpurkhas). The total sample
size comprised of 144 farmers who were involved in the series of IPM-FFS training
sessions. Farmers’ perceived that EFW/F played an effective role and performed
positively in IPM-FFS activities during training programme. Further, results of present
study a confirmation of the adoption and a validation of IPM-FFS as a successful
extension approach in Sindh province of Pakistan
