Farmer's Organization - Chapter 3
At the conclusion of this unit, program participants
will be able to know:
What are their responsibilities as a member
of the AFF.
How to accomplish his/her responsibilities.
Why he/she should be responsible for his/her
assignment.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this unit, program participants will be able to
know:
-
What are their responsibilities as a member of the AFF.
-
How to accomplish his/her responsibilities.
-
Why he/she should be responsible for his/her assignment.
Lesson preparation
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Supplies: paper, chalk, blackboard, poster board, color pencils
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Posters
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Large calendar
Concepts to be taught
Introduction
Generally speaking, lack of responsibility (or commitment) is a symptom
of lack of information, lack of interest, lack of enthusiasm, lack of
motivation, lack of participation, lack of supervision. Responsibility
is defined as accounting for, answerable to, obligation, duties, trustworthy,
and dependable. When informing or requesting a task to be done one must:
a) Formulate what needs to be done, b) clearly explain what is needed,
c) ask if what has been said has been understood, d) Monitor what has
been requested, e) Evaluate task which has been requested, f) Redefine
terms and expressions which were not clear.
Association members must understand that in order to maintain a level
of efficiency in the task of producing more and better food and provide
for their families they must demonstrate responsibility toward the organization
established. They need to understand that there are four basic individual
responsibilities toward the program.
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Adopt the new techniques to improve production of food.
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Fulfill his/her responsibility when assigned.
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Comply with the rules and by-laws of the Association.
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Maintain in working order the "Production Record Book".
The Association as a group must fulfill its responsibility by:
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Maintaining a high level of organization.
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Having regular meetings.
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Safeguarding the reputation of the association.
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Providing direction and purpose to the program.
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Safeguarding the financial integrity of the association.
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Being aware of member's needs and concerns.
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Maintaining all committees organized and operating.
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Calling to regular elections every two years.
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Keeping record of all activities concerning the association.
Concept #1
Members should be able to respond when asked for an assignment.
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Implementation of the Small-scale Agriculture Program. Members
should be fully appraised of the objectives, purpose and reason
for implementing the SSAP as an association.
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Trained facilitators should take ample time to explain, clarify
and demonstrate the SSAP.
Members may want to experiment in the initial stages of implementation
of the program. May be some farmers would like to experiment on excess
land, which will not affect their traditional methods or put to risk
a model to familiar yet.
Participants will commit to put into practice whatever they agree to
do according to plan. Perhaps, some will commit to 10 rows, 1000 m2,
or a full hectare. Whatever the case, he/she will follow instructions
and will be asked to keep accurate record.
-
The SSAP will be developed, designed, and implemented after careful
analysis of the work plan for cropping season, availability of inputs,
human resources, and materials.
Participants will be required to report on type of cropping, fertilizer,
application, soil analysis, (by promoter), seed, type of weeds, insects.
(See Lesson on SSAP).
Concept #2
Members should know why it is important to complete an assignment.
Members of the AFF will fill out the calendar of various crops and
provide detailed information on:
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Amount of land used.
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Number of members in the family.
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Crops the family like and eat.
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Crops they would like to plant for market.
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Crops they would like to experiment with.
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Irrigation or rain-fed cropping.
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etc.
The "Production Record Book" will have to be picked up and analyzed
by facilitators and determine the amount of inputs needed. Members will
receive personal counsel on suggestions on how to increase production.
Facilitator will discuss type of fertilizer needed, amount, application,
ratios, etc.
An agricultural calendar should be prepared; have color pencils available
for every participant. Members will provide accurate cropping periods
for an entire year, codifying with color each crop:
Corn = yellow
Beans = red
Soybean = brown
Alfalfa = green
Peanuts = blue
Etc.
Marketing: facilitator will gather information on basic crops, planting
dates, harvesting, past history, etc. In consultation with association
members and local agriculture organizations determine price fluctuation.
Because prices are unpredictable in many areas of the world, and markets
unreliable, facilitator should keep file with fresh information of what's
occurring in the area, price, location, base of information, contact,
etc., regarding main crops. It must be emphasized that the model calls
for:
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Increase farm productivity to feed family better first.
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Increase level of accuracy in market fluctuation to increase family
income. Excess products go to market. After family has stored staples
needed for the season. Members using the "Production Record Book"
will provide a price history of several selected crops.
Brief marketers check-list: (Facilitator)
------ maintain detailed market research
------ local and regional demand
------ transportation costs
------ crop processing (labor)
------ harvest date
------ weather conditions
------ collation points (middleman)
------ storage facilities
------ processing facilities
------ contacts (local, regional)
Members should be able to provide a large portion of the information
needed to attain some level of prediction of the market fluctuation.
Local information from farmers, middlemen, banks, suppliers, and local
agencies can e beneficial to gather some information and keep a "data
bank" on marketing regarding certain crops.
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"To prophesy is difficult, to predict the future market's it's
a little bit harder." Keep record and ask lots of questions.
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Inputs: Facilitator should have a complete list of all inputs needed,
prices, location, etc. Member should provide a list which will include
procurement:
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Facilitator should request from association members detailed information
on outlets found in the area. Prepare a matrix with prices and outlets.
Purchase of inputs. Using the "Production Record Book" assist in
preparing a full list of past suppliers, prices, and quality of
inputs. Association presidency is responsible for providing appropriate
suppliers from whom to purchase.
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Facilitator and Association Treasurer will out the "Input Sheet"
payment agreement, one copy to member and one copy to Association.
All members agree to apply and use inputs as designated by facilitator.
All members agree to pay back full price of grant/loan on inputs
through the association. Transportation is requested according to
distance and available facilities. AFF will respond to freight handling
needs.
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Facilitator will provide an analysis of the input quality. Caution:
It is better to just simply drop the supplier without publicizing
the lack of quality of the product. Suppliers will get a "loud message"
from lack of business support. Members will receive a report on
quality control analysis in order to make ration adjustments or
change of supplier due to poor quality and high price. It becomes
the responsibility of the leadership to file a complaint with Brand
"X" supplier if not satisfies with the product. - Training: Regarding
of subject being taught or discussed, facilitator will follow this
guideline to provide training to AFF members and to explain their
responsibilities, duties, and tasks:
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Identify a topic to be taught or discussed.
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Have a clear purpose for training sessions.
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Plan time realistically (30 minutes in the most
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adequate time to explain one or two concepts).
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Identify the location of the meeting (central place for easy
access).
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Prepare an agenda and hand it to the Training Committee Chairman.
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Agenda should have:
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Presenter's name
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Topic
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Time/date
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Meeting place
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Type of action required
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Begin meeting on time.
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Agenda should be on the board, on poster board.
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Encourage participation.
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Write down decisions (Secretary or Committee Chairman).
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Keep on track.
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Watch time.
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Avoid discussing any item not found on the agenda.
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Rate the training session.
Presidency notifies members of training session through the Training
Committee. Training committee Chairman, mails or hand carries the agenda
to member and asks to be studies. Members should bring with them notebook
and pencil.
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Service: Facilitator should explain that there are several principles
upon which the association operates. The are: a) Adequate organization,
b) Responsibility when asked to perform a task, c) Honesty in action
and deed, d) Participation in all activities, e) Willingness to
do when asked to participate, f) service to others. In any society
or group of individual there are needs and wants. Because we are
different we have different desires, ideas, concepts, and vision
of the same subject. We should exercise tolerance and not prejudge
any action, word or deed as we relate to other persons. The purpose
of the AFF is to seek solution to common problem, find a sense of
belonging, and share with others our ideas, ideals, and concerns.
Service is one concept that must be clearly adopted by member of
AFF. Each member should be ready when called upon to serve in a
leadership capacity or to assist another member of the group. Members
should be aware, interested, willing to help when another member
asks for help. There is a clear distinction between providing service
and becoming dependant. Service is something rendered with desire
to assist and help someone in need or in a crisis. Dependency is
rendering someone helpless. He/she cannot do something on his/her
own, he needs others to do it. Association members and friends will
always be willing to assist but not to render someone helpless or
dependant.
Members should be continuously reminded that in order to have a working
organization they should refer to these principles.
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