Farmer training center in Ethiopia

FTC‐based modular farmer training is an emerging model that has been introduced by the MOA to the public agricultural extension system in Ethiopia. Strengthening the capacity of FTCs and enhancing FTC‐based training and knowledge services is important to leverage and optimize potential contributions of FTCs to facilitating market‐led and knowledge‐based agricultural transformation. Hence, to complement these efforts and to contribute to the transformation of FTCs into vibrant ‘knowledge and innovation centers’.currently in the country established more than 9500 FTCs at a Kebele level (lower to district) and have a plan to establish in all the rest of kebeles in the Country.

FTCs have expected some plots for demonstration with average size of 3 ha.One of the objective of FTCs areDemonstration farms are also important to conduct some adaptive research and farmer participatory evaluation prior to launching large scale promotion of technologies and practices. It is indeed through demonstration and adaptation process that development agents ( DAs) and farmers can translate research recommendations into useful and practically applicable knowledge.

The other objective of the FTCs is availability and uses of training materials and ICT tools asagricultural extension needs innovative approaches and tools, including effective use of conventional media and gradual adoption and assimilation of advanced ICTs. In this regard also there are efforts to equipped FTCs with computers and connecting internet linkages and interactions among Farmers, value chain actors, and other stakeholders within the agricultural sector in knowledge share and supportive services through development agents and organized farmers group (which comprises 20-25 farmers) and small group (1 to 5) networking farmers to interaction and coordination.

FTCs also used for need‐based, focused and short training on priority commodities, follow up, andinput, service and market linkage facilitation enhances the use of acquiredknowledge as well as knowledge sharing among target farmers team.

Having with a consultation of the meteorology agency to easily access the weatherforecast in the FTCs and surroundings hasstarted to establish simple plastic rain gauge in the FTCs compound to have the data of the rain in that season and to recommend  how and when to react the farmers through  the advises of extension agents.

Presented by Dr. Dagnachew Beyene 

E-mail: be_dagnachew@yahoo.com