FACILITATORS' PERFORMANCE OF COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATIONAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES OF FARMERS' FIELD SCHOOLS IN FAYOUM GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Farmer field schools ( FFSs) have been used as an effective group learning approach in rural Egypt. In each FFS a number of farmers (20-25 males, females or mixed) meet regularly (on the weekly basis) with their facilitators, who perform the needed activities to make group learning easier by organizing the FFSs’ communication and educational activities through organized and interactive discussions, participatory learning among farmers. The level of facilitators’ performance, of these activities, is one of the most important determinants of the success of FFSs. This study investigated the levels of facilitators’ performance of these activities, and the challenges facing them in this concern. The study was conducted in Fayoum Governorate. All the Ministry of Agriculture extension workers (47), who work, in 3 Districts of Fayoum, and function as facilitators in the investigated 20 FFSs, were personally interviewed by using a questionnaire designed and pretested for data collection. In addition, a sample of 196 farmers was selected from members of FFSs in the three districts from total of 400 farmers (representing 49%). Frequencies, percentages, average mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient were used for data presentation and analysis. The study results revealed that: a)For facilitators, the majority of FFSs’ facilitators (around 72 %) demonstrated high and medium levels of performance, and, b) Statistically significant and positive correlations were found among the degree of performance and the following independent variables: FFSFs’ experience in FFSs, number of training courses attended,. Perceived benefit from training.