Analyzing Impacts of Farmer Field School on the Economic, Social, Production, and Knowledge Status of Greenhouse Owners: Evidence from Tehran Province and its Surrounding Counties

The purpose of this study was to analyze effects of using Farmer Field School (FFS) on the economic, social, production, and knowledge status of greenhouse owners in Tehran Province and surrounding, Iran. The research method was a comparative causal study. The statistical population was composed of ۸۰ greenhouse owners who had participated in FFS program as treatment group and ۷۱۶ owners who had not participated in this program, as the control group. Sample size for non-participant group was determined to be ۱۵۲ people using the Cochran formula. They were chosen by simple random sampling method. The results of comparative tests indicate that the two groups significantly differ in crop marketability, job creation, production risk, cooperation, participation in social organizations and entities, use of macro and micro fertilizers, application of organic fertilizers, application of pesticides, and technical knowledge of safe crop production. However, there were no significant differences in annual income, marketing, and crop yield. The structural analysis also indicates that the FFS program has had some positive effects on participants in economic, social, production, and knowledge aspects.

Keywords:

Capacity building , Extension approach , Integrated pest management , Sustainable agriculture.