National Food Security Mission: Empowering Farmers through Farmers Field Schools (FFS)

 The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) aims to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security by providing farmers with practical, field-based training through Farmers Field Schools (FFS). The core objective of FFS is to equip farmers with first-hand knowledge and experience on the best crop production and protection technologies tailored to their local conditions and resources. This enables them to evaluate, adapt, and adopt improved agricultural practices for higher yields and sustainable farming.

Under this scheme, the plan is to establish one Farmers Field School for every 1,000 hectares. Each FFS is managed by a trained facilitator from the State Department of Agriculture, who conducts season-long training sessions. These sessions typically take place once a week or fortnight and cover crucial aspects of crop production technologies, especially for major crops like rice, wheat, and pulses.

Farmers participate actively in these hands-on trainings right in their fields, gaining valuable insights into pest management, nutrient application, and other best practices. The government provides financial assistance of up to ₹17,000 per training per FFS in identified districts to support these activities.

By fostering experiential learning and community engagement, the FFS under NFSM plays a critical role in improving farmers’ skills, enhancing productivity, and contributing to India’s overall food security goals.