The Role of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) by Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Their Economic Impact among Grant Beneficiaries in Jordan 2017-2023

Abstract

This study explores the role of agricultural field schools in supporting grant beneficiaries to adopt best practices, while examining the associated challenges and their impact on income, productivity, and job creation within local communities. The analysis accounted for the beneficiaries’ key socio-economic characteristics and employed inferential statistical methods using Non-Parametric Tests on a stratified sample of 154 participants across governorates. The findings demonstrate significant regional disparities in the economic impact of in the role of agricultural field schools on beneficiaries in terms of economic impacts across governorates. Highlighting, Ajloun and Karak ranked among the highest, as they faced no difficulties in obtaining funding and achieved increases in both productivity and income. In contrast, Jerash and Madaba recorded the lowest outcomes in terms of income growth and job creation for Jordanians, which was associated with difficulties in accessing funding and obtaining the necessary information. Moreover, further results indicated a statistically significant negative correlation between production-related challenges, such as limited access to free extension services, lack of information, and financing difficulties. And (improvements in productivity, income, and job generation). The study recommends coordinated efforts to mitigate these challenges, increasing the value of grants, and prioritizing tenant farmers or non-landholding producers. Notably, the sufficiency of grants emerged as a key determinant in enhancing productivity, income, and job creation in local communities.