Farmer's Field School – An Appropriate Extension Method for Transfer of Technologies to Sericulturists

Production of quality cocoon requires adoption of new technologies by the sericulturists. Adoption of technologies depends on the knowledge and skill possessed by the producers. In this direction, apart from the training and extension programmes of the Central Silk Board and the Department of Sericulture of different states, a rural-based training programme – Farmer's Field School (FFS) – was initiated to upgrade the knowledge and skill of the sericulturists. A total of six FFSs were established in six sericulturally predominant areas of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu (two in each state) to develop a model FFS for transfer of technologies to the sericulturists. In all, one lead farmer and 25 fellow farmers were selected for each FFS, and technologies were demonstrated and regular training sessions were conducted at the lead farmer's mulberry garden and silkworm rearing house. Extension teaching and communication programmes, like group discussion, field visit, field day and study tour, were conducted to disseminate new technologies to the participants. Survey on performance of FFS, after a gap of 1 year of establishment, indicated that though lead and fellow farmers have adopted technologies of mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing, still there is scope for adoption of technologies to the full extent for the production of quality output at reasonable production cost. Adoption of technologies resulted in the increase of the cocoon yield of the cross breed from to 56.00 to 62.00 kg/100 dfls (10.7%) and that of bivoltine hybrids from 60.00 to 65.00 kg/100 dfls (8.3%). The whole exercise of FFS has developed group and participatory approach, apart from increased adoption level. Organising FFS at field level resulted in establishment of strong linkage between scientist-extension worker-lead farmer-fellow farmers (SELF).