Increase in household income

CARE's Farmer Field and Business School is a participatory, women-focused extension approach that helps farmers build skills necessary to increase production; access markets and sell at competitive prices; collaborate with each other; and engage in beneficial and efficient decision making. It also transforms the status and recognition of women by providing the support they require to be successful farmers, businesspeople, leaders, and agents of change. Evidence shows that participation in the FFBS builds women's self-confidence and expands their autonomy; reduces gender-based violence; and engenders respect from their families and communities towards them.

Given the economic support and savings skills established in a VSLA, these groups are a natural entry point for the FFBS approach. Additionally, VSLAs build financial literacy which is necessary for agricultural productivity. VSLA members have a solid foundation of cohesion that facilitates their self-organization into larger Producer Groups based off readiness and interest. Ultimately, members of producer groups will form larger groups called FFBS Producer Associations once they graduate from the FFBS program. FFBS Producer Associations have collective productive capacity and market skills to negotiate favorable terms with buyers and suppliers. VSLAs provide initial savings for investment in improved inputs and techniques. As groups mature, they reinvest profits into pooled funds for equipment, warehouse storage, etc.