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 upland/hill 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, Elephant Foot Yam, Coffee and Avocado have been identified as the priority crops in upland/hill agro-ecological zone of Chin State (Mindat and Kanpetlet Townships) based on technical feasibility, the crops already being grown in the area and have high market demand and contribute to improved nutrition of men and women and their households, especially children, the elderly and the disabled. Therefore, the FFS module and FFS activities will cover those three prioritized crops. Similarly, the project focus in the upland/hilly areas is to promote agroforestry practices and hence, the above mentioned prioritized crops will be grown as a mix/intercrop. Additionally, saplings of multipurpose Gliricidia sepium or Grevillea robusta (Silver Oak) will also be planted as windbreaks. The curriculum has identified 10 modules of FFS meetings/training 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 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.
