The approach

The course was developed by a multidisciplinary team from different parts of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), including the Animal Production and Health Division, the Global Farmer Field School Platform, and FAO country offices in Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Trainees had access to learning materials in the form of videos, pre-recorded presentations and other interactive materials on a dedicated course page. They also interacted with experts on poultry production, farmer field schools and AMR in an interactive discussion forum and live sessions, including live presentations and group discussions.

The results and ripple effect

A total of 47 participants (18 women and 29 men) consisting of trained farmer field school facilitators from Zambia and Zimbabwe took the course to expand their knowledge on poultry production and AMR. The course has led to the following:

√ More informed citizenry and farmers: The facilitators will use what they have learned to train poultry farmers and increase awareness about good antimicrobial use. 

√ Education and empowerment of family poultry producers: the farmer field schools approach strengthens knowledge of holistic agro-ecosystem management, improves decision-making skills, and facilitates collaboration and collective action. 

√ More sustainable and efficient production systems for family poultry producers with less antimicrobials.

Currently the course has covered Zambia and Zimbabwe as a starting point. Efforts will be made to establish collaborations for the roll out of the training in other countries in the region and beyond. 

The trained personnel will be empowered to go out and make use of the skills gained to cascade knowledge and to facilitate the farmer field school.

In addition, the farmer field school concept can be applied to other animal species to address production and health issues.