Lelo, Francis

This article concerns an attempt to develop a PRA approach to deal specifically with problems of resource management in marginal areas. The approach was evaluated in the field in a three day workshop attended by community leaders, extension officers and NGO staff. Discussions centres around two years of experience of PRA in Kakuyuni. Strengths and weaknesses of PRA are discussed. The main conclusions from the workshop are presented: these concern the implementation of the village resource management plan and the distribution of roles and responsibilities for implementation.

Documents a process of community development through PRA, discusses the advantages of the use of PRA, particularly through local community members. The use of a number of techniques are documented, including spatial (maps and transects) and temporal (time and trend lines, seasonal calendars) data as well as numerous ranking excercises. A community action plan was produced, and the methods by which the community began to implement this are given. Attempts to demonstrate that PRA by communities can initiate long term development providing lasting strength and cohesion.