SHARING EXPERIENCES OF COCOA FARMER FIELD SCHOOL (FFS) IN SABAH
Authors: Ling, A. S. C., Ramle, K., Mohd Zamri, A. G., Nazmiah, M. D., Affendy, T. K. P. Jugah, K. and Edwin, M.
Journal Issue: Malaysian Cocoa Journal, Volume 13(2)/2021
Keywords: Cocoa Farmer Field School, Agro-Ecosystem analysis, Ranau, Farmers, Good Agriculture Practice
Published On: 1/11/2021
Abstract
This paper is to share experiences of introducing the cocoa farmer field school (CFFS) program in Sabah, particularly in Togis Village, Ranau back in year 2016. The CFFS program was widely conducted in other cocoa producing countries such as Indonesia, Nigeria, Ghana and others. The reasons to introduce the CFFS program in Togis village, Ranau was due to low productivity among the farmers because of technical knowledge lacking and poor decison making in managing their farms. In order to overcome the issues, they were particularly in need of training which would give them the knowledge and confidence to make their own proper decision. The CFFS program was particpated by 19 farmers which took 16 weeks to the completion. The co-curriculum of CFFS program was designed in such a way to train the participants on Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) approach on their own plot. The main activities in the CFFS program involved Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) by observing the agroecosystem of cocoa trees in their plot by collecting data and presenting their findings and solution on how to manage pests and diseases problem. The facilitators for the CFFS program were the researchers and extension agents from MCB that have been well-trained by the expert from Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) and The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). The activities implemented demonstrated that CFFS program could effectivey fill the gap in extension services and enable farmers to become more efficient and self-reliant managers of their agricultural resources as their yield increased.