Through an innovative continuous professional development training programme, “Growing your business through preventive livestock healthcare”, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has aimed to address private sector veterinary paraprofessionals’ skills gaps and support them to develop successful businesses providing preventive livestock health services to small-scale farmers and pastoralists. These training courses were piloted in Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda in 2023 using a blended learning approach.

This comprehensive guide accompanies the Learning Journey in Rwanda, known as the 'Land of a Thousand Hills' where the economy heavily relies on agriculture. This document presents a detailed look into Farmer Field Schools (FFS) established through the ACP MEAs 3 programme, highlighting innovative farmer initiatives and success stories. Within these pages, you will discover the outcomes of FFS trials with ecosystem-based practices, such as integrated pest management, biofertilizer and biopesticide application, mulching, and the restoration of local seed varieties.