The first part of the book provides a general discussion of participatory extension in the form of step-by-step guidelines that follow the stages of the ôextension cycleö: situation analysis, planning, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation. The book then considers in greater detail the application of participatory extension as part of ZambiaÆs ôNational Extension Action Planö. It examines the Siavonga Agricultural Development Project (SADP) which aims at developing and introducing appropriate agro-silvi-pastoral farming systems. Adopting a more participatory approach is viewed as a pre-condition to strengthening the extension system and reaching overall project objectives. Participatory elements can be integrated by way of transferring responsibilities and decision-making to lower levels, through self-monitoring, and by ensuring that marginalized groups are represented. In participatory M&E, all levels (extension agents and beneficiaries) are involved in defining what should be monitored and evaluated, by whom, when, and in which way. However, the authors point out that people have differing skills, knowledge and qualifications, and therefore propose a system which would take into account the interests and responsibilities of the involved participants and define the degree of participation at the various levels of M&E. For the Siavonga Project, the emphasis of PM&E is on self-monitoring, whereby extension agents and farmers elaborate together a system for recording and analysing information that is useful for both groups. It is argued that while there is a minimum of pre-conditions that facilitate participatory extension- notably the political commitment to local decision-making and democracy, flexibility within the extension system, and living conditions that allow farmers to fulfil their basic needs in terms of physical reproduction- these very conditions may actually be enhanced by actually practising participatory approaches. Annexes are provided at the end which include research questions and topics, interview guidelines, the training workshop, and manuals for using methods of participatory extension. While PRA is not explicitly discussed, an elaboration of the various participatory methods used (including mapping, transect walks, seasonal calendars, ranking, group discussions) is provided.
The first part of the book provides a general discussion of participatory extension in the form of step-by-step guidelines that follow the stages of the ôextension cycleö: situation analysis, planning, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation. The book then considers in greater detail the application of participatory extension as part of ZambiaÆs ôNational Extension Action Planö. It examines the Siavonga Agricultural Development Project (SADP) which aims at developing and introducing appropriate agro-silvi-pastoral farming systems. Adopting a more participatory approach is viewed as a pre-condition to strengthening the extension system and reaching overall project objectives. Participatory elements can be integrated by way of transferring responsibilities and decision-making to lower levels, through self-monitoring, and by ensuring that marginalized groups are represented. In participatory M&E, all levels (extension agents and beneficiaries) are involved in defining what should be monitored and evaluated, by whom, when, and in which way. However, the authors point out that people have differing skills, knowledge and qualifications, and therefore propose a system which would take into account the interests and responsibilities of the involved participants and define the degree of participation at the various levels of M&E. For the Siavonga Project, the emphasis of PM&E is on self-monitoring, whereby extension agents and farmers elaborate together a system for recording and analysing information that is useful for both groups. It is argued that while there is a minimum of pre-conditions that facilitate participatory extension- notably the political commitment to local decision-making and democracy, flexibility within the extension system, and living conditions that allow farmers to fulfil their basic needs in terms of physical reproduction- these very conditions may actually be enhanced by actually practising participatory approaches. Annexes are provided at the end which include research questions and topics, interview guidelines, the training workshop, and manuals for using methods of participatory extension. While PRA is not explicitly discussed, an elaboration of the various participatory methods used (including mapping, transect walks, seasonal calendars, ranking, group discussions) is provided.
