1. The Global Farmer Field School Network: Pilot experiences with web-based tools for knowledge sharing. FFSnet Edwin Adenya, Arnoud Braun and Ruud Crul

2. What is a Farmer Field School? Farmer Field Schools (FFS) consist of groups of people with a common interest, who get together on a regular basis to study the “how and why” of a particular topic. The topics covered can vary considerably - from IPM, organic agriculture, animal husbandry, and soil husbandry, to income-generating activities such as handicrafts.

3. Characteristics of FFS * The group The field The leader The facilitator The Curriculum Financing Graduation Upscaling/networking * See also: Fundamental Elements of a Farmer Fleld Schools Fundamental Elements of a Farmer Fleld Schools

4. FFS Video

5. Why FFSnet? Approach popular as a result of global expansion, national institutionalisation and scaling-up. Situation before FFSnet: 1)No knowledge sharing platform on materials, persons and experiences, yet growing demand for this information 2)Originally piloted by FAO in Indonesia, as a result of success now implemented by many organisations in more than 78 countries. Response: Global FFS Network and Resource Centre (FFSnet) - http://farmerfieldschool.infohttp://farmerfieldschool.info

6. FFSnet web-based tools Website http://farmerfieldschool.info (CMS Joomla)http://farmerfieldschool.info – News (blog) – Country/Districts, Organisations, Projects Profiles – RSS – Wiki – Search cloud – Database – Forum – Listserve Skype

7. Load the website

8. Achievements Network platform and tools established: Database (Dec 2005), Listserve (Jan 2007), Web site/web 2.0 tools + forum (April 2007) One regional (East Africa), two national training events (Kenya, Uganda) Two institutional training events in Kenya (ICIPE, KENDAT). Database Statistics GlobalKenya Organizations7822 FFS Persons902187 FFS Projects3116 FFS Publications35358

9. Current Constraints Connectivity Low bandwidth (speed/videos) Capacity (skills) Information sharing is limited (time/willingness/skills) - paradigm shift required Lack of policy and institutional support

10. The Future More mentoring and facilitation – through country user groups Demand-driven integration of more/other Web 2.0 tools Additional Languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Swahili Country sub-sites

11. Thanks to CTA For co-funding FFSnet pilot in East Africa (2006/7) For funding my participation in the conference Ukitaka Kujua Utamu Wa Ngoma ingia ucheze.

12. Development!!!!