The capacity of farmers to adapt to changing environments is critical for sustainable, economically viable and resilient rural development. The Farmer Field School (FFS) was developed by FAO in the late 1980s to build farmers’ knowledge and skills for adaptive management. The FFS was subsequently implemented in over 90 countries by a multitude of stakeholders. We conducted case studies in Malawi and Indonesia to answer contemporary questions about the FFS, regarding its relevance at field level, its position in the institutional environment, and its contribution to rural development. We show that the FFS remains relevant at field level, helping farmers to adapt their agricultural practices and livelihood situation to changing circumstances. Differences in institutional arrangements between the two countries highlight the importance of a coordinated support for the FFS. Long-term impacts were found at farmer and institutional level. This study provides insight into the FFS, regarding the causal factors of change, institutional factors, and the role in continued development. As an approach that empowers rural people, the FFS thus contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

农民适应不断变化的环境的能力对于可持续，经济上可行和有韧性的农村发展至关重要。粮农组织在1980年代后期建立了农民田间学校（FFS），目的是培养农民适应管理的知识和技能。随后，众多利益相关者在90多个国家实施了FFS。我们在马拉维和印度尼西亚进行了案例研究，以回答有关FFS的当代问题，包括其在实地的相关性，其在机构环境中的地位以及对农村发展的贡献。我们表明，农民田间学校在实地一级仍然具有重要意义，可以帮助农民适应不断变化的环境，改变其农业实践和生计状况。两国之间体制安排的差异凸显了对FFS的协调支持的重要性。在农民和机构层面发现了长期影响。这项研究提供了关于FFS的见解，涉及变化的因果因素，制度因素以及在持续发展中的作用。作为赋予农村人民权力的一种方法，FFS为实现可持续发展目标做出了贡献。