UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Major Groups

Submitting organization:

Affiliation:	- Indigenous peoples - Farmers

Name of Focal Point:	Sofia Widforss

Initiative Title:	Honduran farmer school

Internet links:	http://www.idrc.ca/uploads/user-S/11629273191Farmer_participatory_research_briefs_(Sept_2004,_May_2005,_April_2006).doc http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-30500-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html http://www.crdi.ca/en/ev-87332-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

Scope:	National: - Honduras

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: End:

Lead Institution:	ANAFAE: The National Association for the Promotion of Ecological Agriculture.

Stakeholders/Partners:	FIPAH, Asociación de CIALES • World Vision • APAS, Asociación de Productores Agropecuarios de la Sierra • COMUCAP, Cooperativa de Mujeres • Vecinos Mundiales • CTSAR, Centro Técnico San Alonzo Rodríguez • CONAGRO, Consultores Agropecuarios • ADROH, Asociación para el Desarrollo de Occidente • ACAN, Asociación Campesina Nacional • CEASO, Centro de Enseñanza-Aprendizaje El Socorro Pastoral Social – Cáritas Comayagua Participatory Research in Central America (IPCA)

Relevent issues:	- Enhancing agricultural productivity through adequate and sustainable inputs - Diversifying agricultural production systems

Objectives/Challenges:

Several Farmer Schools was organized by ANAFAE to promote practical application of research for ecological agriculture and best practices and learning among participating partners. In order to graduate, participants must pass four series of practical tests that included technical skills such as integrated pest management and potato production, as well as research skills such as sampling, design and data analysis. The research activities included exercises to learn about:
• Pest damage and control
• Effects of seed size
• Best planting distances
• Economic losses
• Variety trials
ANAFAE will explore and adapt a hybrid model of local farmer agriculture research commitees (CIALs- Comites de Investigacion Agricola Local) and farmer field schools (ECA- Escuela de Campo).
In particular, participatory research will be carried out with local men and women farmers to identify i) feasible alternatives to the use of agrochemicals for potato and vegetable production in Western Honduras, and ii) realistic options for agriculture production in drought-affected Southern Honduras. ANAFAE will explore and adapt a hybrid model of local farmer agriculture research commitees (CIALs- Comites de Investigacion Agricola Local) and farmer field schools (ECA- Escuela de Campo).

Lessons Learned:

Proper capacity building for the right groups can catalyze appropriate processes for development. The Farmer Field Schools have proven to be a reliable and practical mechanism to achieve results in rural populations. For Honduras, it is still too early to tell, but it appears to be a promising methodology

Policy Options:

Summary:

Expected outcomes from the application of the research include a reduction in the use of agrochemicals among farmers in Western Honduras, the development and adaptation of alternative technologies to address drought conditions in Southern Honduras, the implementation of participatory methodologies among a significant number of ANAFAE members, and the integration of research into membership activity.

In order to graduate, participants must pass four series of practical tests that included technical skills such as integrated pest management and potato production, as well as research skills such as sampling, design and data analysis. The research activities included exercises to learn about:
• Pest damage and control
• Effects of seed size
• Best planting distances
• Economic losses
• Variety trials
ANAFAE will explore and adapt a hybrid model of local farmer agriculture research commitees (CIALs- Comites de Investigacion Agricola Local) and farmer field schools (ECA- Escuela de Campo).

In particular, participatory research will be carried out with local men and women farmers to identify i) feasible alternatives to the use of agrochemicals for potato and vegetable production in Western Honduras, and ii) realistic options for agriculture production in drought-affected Southern Honduras.
ANAFAE will explore and adapt a hybrid model of local farmer agriculture research commitees (CIALs- Comites de Investigacion Agricola Local) and farmer field schools (ECA- Escuela de Campo).