The Effectiveness of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) with an Emphasis on Safe Food Production Case study: Tomato Farmers of Kaki District

Farmer field school (FFS) is an effective education and extension approach for increasing farmers’ potential to use modern technology which is expected to help food security. This approach has been implemented in the Boushehr province since 2008. Accordingly, determining the effectiveness of these schools can help to improve the performance of them. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the FFS approach that was implemented for tomato farmers of Kaki district in Boushehr province. For this purpose, a survey methodology was employed in to a sample of 80 FFS members. The Kirkpatrick model was used to evaluate the program. Questionnaires based on the model were administered face to face to all the 80 FFS members. Face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by panel of experts, and the questionnaire was subjected to reliability testing by using data collection in the pilot study with Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.72 to 0.86. The research found out that the FFS course offered was effective in the areas assessed, learning, behavior, reaction and result. It also found out that the most significant variables in terms of learning dimension involves cultivation, the arable land and production. The regression model explained 38% of the variance of the dependent variable (learning). This is despite the fact that these variables for skill dimension include level of education, experience and production. The regression model explained 31% of variance of the skill dimension. Finally, according to research findings presented proposals to improve the effectiveness of FFS approach