FARMING SYSTEM RESEARCH/EXTENSION (FSR/E)

PRESENTED BYASHISH KUMAR TIWARIM.Sc(Previous)EXTENSION EDUCATION

Farming systems

Farming system is a complex inter-related matrix of soils, plants, animals, implements, labour and capital, inter-dependent farming enterprises

The farm is viewed in a holistic manner (multi-disciplinary approach)

Concept

Biggs (1985) explained the concept of FSA as follows:FSA requires commonly homogenous type of farmers It is an inter-disciplinary approach It is a participatory and bottom-up planning It is an approach to developing farm household systems It is built on the principles of productivity, profitability, stability and sustainabilityComplements component oriented approach to development

Objective of farming systems approaches To develop farm - household systems of rural communities

on a sustainable basis To improve efficiency in farm production To raise farm and family income To increase welfare of farm families and satisfy basic needs

Farming System Research/ Extension (FSR/E)

The term FSR/E in the broadest sense refers to any research and extension that views the farm in a holistic manner and considers interactions in a system (CGIAR, 1978).

FSR is an approach to agricultural research and development that views the whole farm as a system and focuses on (i) The interdependencies between the components under the control of members of the household, and (ii) How these components interact with the physical, biological and socioeconomic factors not under the household’s control ( Shaneret al, 1982)

Features of FSR/E

Some of the essential features of FSR/E are as follows (Shaneret al 1982):

It is holistic It is farmer participatory It is problem solving It is gender sensitive It is interdisciplinary It is interactive and iterative It emphasizes extensive on farm activities

It complements experiment station research

It acknowledges the location specificity of technical solutions

It recognizes interdependencies among multiple clients

It emphasizes feedback

Activities involved in FSRFSR is a process which involves a set of interrelated activities , which

according to Shaneret.al (1982) are as follows

Target and research area selection Problem diagnosis and development of research agenda Planning and designing of on-farm research Farmer participatory on-farm research and its analysis Extension of research results.

Main steps in FSR

1) Diagnosis The major objectives at this stage are to describe and understand the

current production system, to identify and analyse the key farmer problems

2) Planning and design stage Planning begins with the analysis of the priority problems identified.3) Experimentation or testing stage This deals with the actual implementation and management of trials.

4) Evaluation Experimental results are assessed using formal statistical, agronomic and

socio-economic criteria as well as being reviewed to assure that the conclusions are compatible with farmers concern and the characteristics of the FS.

5) Recommendations and wider dissemination or extension The ultimate objective of agricultural and natural resources research is to

develop suitable recommendations for the target group of farmers.

Steps:

Implementation of FSR/E: Issues There are certain issues which must be considered while

implementing the FSR/E approach in Rural areas. They are:1) Institutional problems: Research and extension are at present handled separately and needs

suitable integration through cooperation and coordination.2) Conflict: since it is an inter-disciplinary approach, conflict bound to arise between

the agencies involved.3) Clientele selection: Defining a specific relatively homogenous client groups in a heterogeneous environment like Rural areas is a major problem.

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4) Resource flexibility: lack of resource flexibility in the development departments of the rural

areas.5) Qualified staff: Suitable persons in sufficient numbers especially technology managers and

Extension scientist may not be available6) Cost factor: Since it emphasis working with farmers in their fields, it involves more

money. At that time, it appears to be costly and taxing.7) Collaboration: Effective collaboration of all the organizations closely associated with the

needs of small farmers is very important and essential

Institution for FSR

Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research, Modipuram INDIA During XI plan period the Project Directorate for Farming Systems

Research (PDFSR) was established with focus on farming systems research after re-naming the Project Directorate for Cropping Systems Research (PDCSR) which became operational during 2009.