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Farmer field schools ( FFSs) have been used as an effective group learning approach in rural Egypt. In each FFS a number of farmers (20-25 males, females or mixed) meet regularly (on the weekly basis) with their facilitators, who perform the needed activities to make group learning easier by organizing the FFSs' communication and educational activities through organized and interactive discussions, participatory learning among farmers. The level of facilitators' performance, of these activities, is one of the most important determinants of the success of FFSs. This study investigated the levels of facilitators' performance of these activities, and the challenges facing them in this concern. The study was conducted in Fayoum Governorate. All the Ministry of Agriculture extension workers (47), who work, in 3 Districts of Fayoum, and function as facilitators in the investigated 20 FFSs, were personally interviewed by using a questionnaire designed and pretested for data collection. In addition, a sample of 196 farmers was selected from members of FFSs in the three districts from total of 400 farmers (representing 49%). Frequencies, percentages, average mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient were used for data presentation and analysis. The study results revealed that: a)For facilitators, the majority of FFSs' facilitators (around 72 %) demonstrated high and medium levels of performance, and, b) Statistically significant and positive correlations were found among the degree of performance and the following independent variables: FFSFs' experience in FFSs, number of training courses attended,. Perceived benefit from training. Several challenges facing the FFSs' facilitators were revealed, including: lack of transportations facilities (as reported by 36.2%), lack of appropriate incentives for facilitators (34%) and lack of funds allocated by the Government for FFSs (32%). Facilitators' recommendations to face these challenges included: providing them with convenient transportation facilities and financial incentives. For farmers: a) the majority of FFSFs (around 77 %) demonstrated high and medium levels of performance, and, b) Statistically significant and positive correlations were found among the level of performance and the following independent variables: opinion leadership, cosmopoliteness, participation in extension activities, informal social participation, exposure to sources of information Several challenges facing FFSMs were revealed, including: high prices of inputs by (35.2%), lack of irrigation water at the ends of the canals (27.6%), lack of demonstrative fields for FFSs (19.9%), lack of incentives for farmers (13.8%). providing demonstrative fields for FFSs (as reported by 21.4%), visits to the distinguished farms (21.4%), and the encouragement of FFSs' farmers (18.9%), and providing inputs with appropriate prices.

BackgroundExperimental and clinical evidence supports the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis and its complications. Colchicine is an orally administered, potent antiinflammatory medication that is indicated for the treatment of gout and pericarditis.MethodsWe performed a randomized, double-blind trial involving patients recruited within 30 days after a myocardial infarction. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg once daily) or placebo. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, resuscitated cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, or urgent hospitalization for angina leading to coronary revascularization. The components of the primary end point and safety were also assessed.ResultsA total of 4745 patients were enrolled; 2366 patients were assigned to the colchicine group, and 2379 to the placebo group. Patients were followed for a median of 22.6 months. The primary end point occurred in 5.5% of the patients in the colchicine group, as compared with 7.1% of those in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 0.96; P = 0.02). The hazard ratios were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.46 to 1.52) for death from cardiovascular causes, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.25 to 2.73) for resuscitated cardiac arrest, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.68 to 1.21) for myocardial infarction, 0.26 (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.70) for stroke, and 0.50 (95% CI, 0.31 to 0.81) for urgent hospitalization for angina leading to coronary revascularization. Diarrhea was reported in 9.7% of the patients in the colchicine group and in 8.9% of those in the placebo group (P = 0.35). Pneumonia was reported as a serious adverse event in 0.9% of the patients in the colchicine group and in 0.4% of those in the placebo group (P = 0.03).ConclusionsAmong patients with a recent myocardial infarction, colchicine at a dose of 0.5 mg daily led to a significantly lower risk of ischemic cardiovascular events than placebo. (Funded by the Government of Quebec and others; COLCOT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02551094.).