Resources

This paper spells out the strategy of an Indian NGO, MYRADA, in its various programmes. It describes the origins of MYRADA's emphasis on community participation, which led them to implement a process of staff re-orientation and skills upgrading. The resulting strategy is discussed in three sections: (i) how to target the system to bring about long-run structural change in favour of the poor (discussing the rationale, strategy of research with action, and developing change agents); (ii) supporting components of the system and responsive officials involved in poverty eradication programmes (discussing cooperation with government and donors); and (iii) developing a system in which people can develop alternate systems based on traditional patterns and values together with institutional changes which address the needs of the poor.

This book presents a participative action model to assist groups in developing the organisational, analytical and management skills required for community action to achieve sustainable use of land and water resources at the local level. Groups using this book are expected to develop participatory mechanisms for planning and implementing land and water management projects. It is aimed at developing self-learning skills by community leaders, extension officers and students in Australia. The contents are divided into short learning units in which outlines of theories, concepts and principles are followed by personal and group activities. The organisation of chapters follows the pattern of group development. It explains the philosophy of participative action in land care (Ch. 2); and discusses learning to work together, development of leadership skills and defining of roles and responsibilities (Chs. 3-5). The next eight chapters are on 'how to' aspects of group functioning: running a meeting, organising activities, planning, motivating oneself and others, effective communication, finding human and financial resources for projects. The last two chapters discuss how to keep momentum going and how to manage conflicts that accompany change.

This report concerns the use of PRA methods in participatory natural resources management in Kenya. The aim of the study was to learn whether a team consisting of national level staff, a foreign representative, and community leaders could gather data, define problems, rank solutions and devise an integrated village plan for natural resources management with substantial community participation. The bulk of the report consists of discussion of the PRA process, and descriptions of the use of various PRA methods and the results. These include: mapping, transects, time lines, trends, seasonal calendars, interviews and institutional analysis. The problem analysis and solution ranking processes are also described, leading to the adoption and implementation of the village plan. Key findings concerning data collection, participation, the roles of village leaders, technical officers and donor/NGO assistance, and sustainability are discussed. The final sections present general reflections on the use of PRA: raising expectations, majority will/minority sensitivities, and PRA as a flexible approach and as one possible approach among others. This paper is identical to Kabutha, Thomas-Slayter and Ford (1990).

This reports the proceedings of a workshop which primarily aimed to evaluate the application of RRA in the Philippines, focusing on its strengths and limitations, problems encountered in the field, its impact on development activities and areas needing change and improvement. Discussions relate, among others, to: preparation for RRA; team composition; time constraints; quality; other methodologies; community participation; interviewing; sharing experiences; RRA as research; training; RRA manuals; methods and approaches. A long appendix consists of a draft manual for rapid community systems appraisal. Much of the discussion consists of reactions to a draft report on RRA in the Philippines by T. van Steijn: see van Steijn (1991)

This paper describes a project aimed at developing a production technology package for meat and milk goats in Western Kenya, where dual purpose goats (DPGs) are not traditionally raised. Developing an appropriate production system necessitated the characterisation of existing farming systems. The project follows a farming systems approach to research and development. It involved (i) farming systems analysis, (ii) monitoring a limited number of DPGs on farm, and (iii) technical and socio-economic evaluation of technology packages and production systems. The benefits of farmer participation for technology development are examined. The final section discusses collaboration between researchers, government and NGOs.

This well argued paper makes a case for harnessing the possibilities latent in indigenous knowledge in rural communities as the cheapest and most appropriate way to realise participatory development. It explores in detail the concepts of participatory development and indigenous knowledge of soils, vegetation, climate, pests, veterinary knowledge, agriculture, medicine, and engineering. It then discusses ways to build indigenous knowledge into the participatory agenda: resource inventory/mapping, environmental monitoring, and planning.

This excellent paper argues for a contextual grounding for research and development in rangelands. Since R&D is designed to bring about change, how is our understanding of R&D developed, and how is our understanding of 'change' constructed? A distinction is proposed between the perceptions and actions of the researcher. In 'first-order' R&D the researcher remains outside the system studied. This assumes an objective stance and interventions in a closed system. In 'second-order' R&D the action of the researcher is part of the interactions being studied. Perceptions and responsibility are emphasised. The paper focuses on pastoral and agro-ecological applications, but the theory and approach is applicable to other participatory and action based research.