An Examination of Theories that Undergird Farmer Field School as an Adult Non-formal Education

Abstract

Farmer Field School (FFS) is a rural and agricultural extension education program whose philosophy rests on adult non-formal education. It is a bottom-up participatory extension approach that adapts to the needs of participants. Ever since its development in Indonesia in 1989, there have been many scholarly writings on its effectiveness as an agricultural extension approach. Notably is the acknowledgment that its philosophy is based on adult learning theories. However, based on a review of the literature, there have not been sufficient explanations on theories most especially adult learning theories that serve as theoretical frameworks for FFS in Nigeria. This article, therefore, examines and provides explanations on Habermas theory of communicative action and adult learning theories that undergird FFS as an agriculture extension programme.