ABOUT FSR/E AND THERE CONCEPT

1. PRESENTED BY
ASHISH KUMAR TIWARI
M.Sc(Previous)
EXTENSION EDUCATION

2.  Farming system is a complex inter-related matrix of soils, plants,
animals, implements, labour and capital, inter-dependent
farming enterprises
 The farm is viewed in a holistic manner (multi-disciplinary
approach)

3. Biggs (1985) explained the concept of FSA
as follows:
FSA requires commonly homogenous type of farmers
It is an inter-disciplinary approach
It is a participatory and bottom-up planning
It is an approach to developing farm household systems
It is built on the principles of productivity, profitability, stability
and sustainability
Complements component oriented approach to development

4.  To develop farm - household systems of rural communities
on a sustainable basis
 To improve efficiency in farm production
 To raise farm and family income
 To increase welfare of farm families and satisfy basic needs

5. The term FSR/E in the broadest sense refers to any research and
extension that views the farm in a holistic manner and considers
interactions in a system (CGIAR, 1978).
FSR is an approach to agricultural research and development that
views the whole farm as a system and focuses on
(i) The interdependencies between the components under the control
of members of the household, and (ii) How these components interact
with the physical, biological and socioeconomic factors not under the
household’s control ( Shaneret al, 1982)

7. Some of the essential features of FSR/E are as follows (Shaneret al 1982):
 It is holistic
 It is farmer participatory
 It is problem solving
 It is gender sensitive
 It is interdisciplinary
 It is interactive and iterative
 It emphasizes extensive on farm activities

8.  It complements experiment station research
 It acknowledges the location specificity of technical solutions
 It recognizes interdependencies among multiple clients
 It emphasizes feedback

9. FSR is a process which involves a set of interrelated activities , which
according to Shaneret.al (1982) are as follows
 Target and research area selection
 Problem diagnosis and development of research agenda
 Planning and designing of on-farm research
 Farmer participatory on-farm research and its analysis
 Extension of research results.

10. 1) Diagnosis
 The major objectives at this stage are to describe and understand the
current production system, to identify and analyse the key farmer
problems
2) Planning and design stage
 Planning begins with the analysis of the priority problems identified.
3) Experimentation or testing stage
 This deals with the actual implementation and management of trials.

11. 4) Evaluation
 Experimental results are assessed using formal statistical, agronomic and
socio-economic criteria as well as being reviewed to assure that the
conclusions are compatible with farmers concern and the characteristics
of the FS.
5) Recommendations and wider dissemination or extension
 The ultimate objective of agricultural and natural resources research is to
develop suitable recommendations for the target group of farmers.

12. Steps:

13. There are certain issues which must be considered while
implementing the FSR/E approach in Rural areas. They are:
1) Institutional problems:
 Research and extension are at present handled separately and needs
suitable integration through cooperation and coordination.
2) Conflict:
 since it is an inter-disciplinary approach, conflict bound to arise between
the agencies involved.
3) Clientele selection:
 Defining a specific relatively homogenous client groups in a
heterogeneous environment like Rural areas is a major problem.

14. 4) Resource flexibility:
 lack of resource flexibility in the development departments of the rural
areas.
5) Qualified staff:
Suitable persons in sufficient numbers especially technology managers
and Extension scientist may not be available
6) Cost factor:
 Since it emphasis working with farmers in their fields, it involves more
money. At that time, it appears to be costly and taxing.
7) Collaboration:
 Effective collaboration of all the organizations closely associated with the
needs of small farmers is very important and essential

15. Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research, Modipuram INDIA
 During XI plan period the Project Directorate for Farming Systems
Research (PDFSR) was established with focus on farming systems
research after re-naming the Project Directorate for Cropping
Systems Research (PDCSR) which became operational during
2009.