Outcomes of collective learning and sharing visit
There were certain tools and approaches used in order to assess the perception and
effectiveness of the farmers' exchange visits. Certain questions were given to an individual
farmer to assess each day's events and activities. The perception and feedback from
farmers were collected and analyzed. Based on the analysis, the following good practices
have been identified and appreciated by farmers for their replication (Suwal et al.,2003). The
good practices identified by participating farmers are the major outcomes of FTLW.
Concept of group action
Farmers of Ilam demonstrated that they possess a clear concept of group approaches, fund
collection and mobilization, and they also have knowledge on the importance of sustainable
development. They have identified the roles and assigned the responsibilities of different
project related activities to each group member so that every one could feel their ownership
and stake in the group. Monthly meeting is being conducted by the coordinator farmer to
discuss new issues and review past activities in order to improve the existing status of home
gardens facilitated by the project field staff. Fund is collected through seed distribution, levy,
entrance fee etc. To ensure the active and regular participation of members during meeting,
they also have the provision for penalty to absentees in the meetings. Farmers have
identified norms and rules for an effective group mobilization.
Nursery management
The practice of having vegetable nurseries in the periphery of the houses by Ilam farmers
captivated the attention of all the research farmers of other three sites. They have the clear
knowledge on the requirements of a nursery; therefore, having it in and around the
homestead assures a better attention and care from the family members. It also helps in the
better management of an available space in the home gardens.
Exchange of planting materials
Participating farmers had brought/bought different planting materials (e.g., Akabare khursani,
Binyee, tea, mango, Jaringo, Pakhanbed, passion fruit, etc.) to test their suitability in their
own home gardens as an experiment from different sources (from Ilam home gardens and
also from different government and private nurseries/farms).
Use value of Chayote and other home garden plant species
The exchange visit has also been helpful to exchange the knowledge on use-values of
several home garden species. For example, Ilam farmers shared the knowledge regarding
the use of different parts of chayote with others. The idea of using different parts of chayote
(modified root, growing twigs and the fruit) has been well-appreciated and accepted by the
fellow participating farmers. During the process, the cultivation practices, their use-value and
the marketing of different species like vegetables, fruits, fodder and medicinal plants were
also shared with each other.
Early effects of FTLW
Group formation
Before the exchange visit, there was no group structure of research farmers in Gulmi,
Rupandehi and Jhapa. Two coordinating research farmers were given the responsibility to
co-ordinate the implementation of all project related activities. Similarly, there was no system