This paper describes the use of RRA to explore environmental and economic change over a period of twenty years as a result of dam building, within the Hadejia-Jama'are floodplain. The study was conducted in 27 sample villages and comprised of semi-structured interviews and field visits to examine villagers perceptions of changes in patterns of flooding and river flows, with timing determined using key events in Nigerian history. Ranking and scoring of activities before and after the construction of the dam were used to examine economic changes. The methods used allowed spatial patterns of economic and environmental change to be mapped and revealed significant differences between villages, for an area which had previously been considered homogenous. The potential of RRA to be applied in such a manner demonstrates its potential for planning on a regional scale.
Describes how PRA was used with a self-help fund, comprising of fishers, fish smokers and fish traders, to identify and analyse problems. Those problems common to all groups were identified with the use of venn diagrams, one of which was preserving the catch and maintaining its quality throughout each stage of the trade. As an outcome of the exerciese a Fish Preservation and Marketing Cooperative comprising the fishers, fish smokers and bulk buyers was formed and with self-funded contributions purchased an outboard engine .
This is a resource book designed primarily for development workers working within the field of the rural poor. It describes a range of first-hand experiences with participatory approaches in the context of projects funded by The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and governments in Asia and the Pacific. The book is divided into a number of sections. Part One examines poverty and participation and explains why the poor should be targeted and in what ways this is possible. Part Two describes in detail the actual participatory approaches. Part three concentrates on participation in the project planning and implementation stage. Part Four assesses the monitoring impact and Part Five examines issues in participation with regards to institutions, partnerships and governance.