The AESA encourages the development of field observation skills as farmers consider various components in making management decisions. It is not uncommon that before joining the FFS, farmers make field management decisions without even stepping into their plots. During the season, FFS participants make more regular visits to their own fields and carry out careful observations on several plants to monitor the field condition. Farmers apply concepts gained from insect zoo experiments in the wider agroecosystem. In addition, because farmers make decisions for only one plot in the FFS, farmers learn skills in carrying out dialogues and negotiations to reach consensus on the management decisions to be made. These skills are also important in organizing and implementing future farmer-led programmes where they work with other farmers and with local leaders to generate support for their activities.

Management and organization
Activities such as recapitulation and briefing provide opportunities for farmers to increase their management skills and to experience how to organize activities to prepare them for farmer-led programmes. Leadership of small groups is rotated among members weekly and each FFS participant becomes the session Day’s Team Leader. Through this process, participants take over the management of the FFS.

A Field Day at the end of the season showcases the management and organization skills that participants gain in the FFS. The Field Day is attended by non-IPM farmers, local leaders, and other members of the community. FFS participants share with other farmers what they learned and inform local leaders about IPM and the need to support the programme.

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