The FAO is implementing a project entitled “Sustainable Cropland and forest management in priority agro-ecosystems of Myanmar (SLM-GEF)” in coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MoNREC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project promotes climate smart agriculture (CSA) policies and practices at different levels in Myanmar. In the field, the project is active in five pilot Townships from three different agro-ecological zones implementing various relevant CSA initiatives mainly using Farmer Field Schools (FFS) models. In order to implement FFS effectively in a proper way, the project has made efforts to develop FFS Curricula for each of the above mentioned three agro-ecological zones with support from AVSI Foundation as a Service Provider. Accordingly, the FFS Curriculum has been developed for Coastal/Delta agro-ecological zone to be used by FFS Facilitators, Extension Workers and FFS Committee/farmers to implement FFS on CSA techniques and practices in systematic ways.
As per the initial need assessment and value chain analysis, paddy, and green gram/ black gram have been identified as the priority crops in coastal/delta agro-ecological zone of Labutta Township (Ayeyarwady Division) based on technical feasibility, already being grown in the area and have high market demand. Therefore, the FFS module and FFS activities will cover those prioritized crops. The curriculum has identified 12 modules of FFS meetings/trainings to be held at the FFS sites for the FFS Committee members, usually in every month, in addition to a Pre-FFS Introductory Meeting held before starting the formal FFS programme. There are some key technical topics identified in the curriculum to be covered in every FFS meeting/training. It is expected that the FFS curriculum will help the FFS Facilitators, Extension Workers and FFS Committee/farmers to implement FFS on CSA techniques and practices in systematic and proper ways.
