The paper's objective is to construct a general framework which will increase the useful data, while reducing the cost of data collection in developing countries. The search for useful principles proceeds from the economics of information, via Karl Popper's principle of error reduction, and the use of information cybernetics in public decision-making, to the design of more cost-effective models of development processes, and the significance of alternative hierarchical administrative structures for the utility obtained from primary data. These components are combined into a unified logical framework. An integrated approach to management information is identified as a desirable adjunct for its application in practice.
This paper considers ways in which farmers' own analysis, method and scope, can be documented and explored. It draws out the partially complementary nature and some of the differences with regard to PRA and FPR (Farmer Participatory Research). PRA methods tend to emphasize the visual, while FPR methods are more verbal and observation based. Visual methods have strengths. Farmers have greater capacity to diagram and analyse than most outsiders have supposed, and farmers are proving to be good facilitators of analysis by other farmers. The challenge is to further develop, spread, test and improve farmers' analysis through these and other methods.
This paper defines agroecosystems and examines the variety of strategies used to create such a system such as productivity, stability, sustainability and equitability. It states that agricultural development involves a trade-off between these properties. It demonstrates this through selected examples from agricultual history, including the origins of agriculture, manorial and modern Western agriculture and the Green Revolution in Indonesia. It is suggested that these properties may be used normatively as combined criteria for evaluating the performance of agricultural development programmes and projects.
This paper establishes models for the collection and analysing of data for the Papua New Guinea Tree Crops Study. Four schemes of rural data collection are distinguished: pure monitoring; research for large-scale projects; research that is participatory and small-scale; and, research that strikes a balance btween the second and third schemes. The paper states that the Papua New Guinea Export Tree Crops Study requires characteristics from all of these schemes and attempts to provide a sythesis of "top down" and "bottom up" approaches for this study.
AKRSP supports village institutions in undertaking soil and water conservation on the private land holdings of farmers as a part of the watershed management programme, identified by the villagers as one of their priorities for natural resource management. This paper examines this process with regard to the village of Madargadh. The programme has at its centre the Extension Volunteer, who prepare watershed treatment plans and maps for their village. They are trained in conducting impact studies in order that the impact of soil and water conservation programmes be assessed after the rains. The paper reports on: the sequence of participatory impact monitoring; the process of impact monitoring; recommendations of farmers, made in the light of analysis of impact data; and the application of participatory impact monitoring for natural resource management projects on the general level.
This is a midterm participatory evaluation report of a watershed programme in Tiruchirappalli, South India. The project used PRA techniques (integrated with other methods) in the planning and impact evaluation stages. The report includes a detailed background to the programme and quantitative findings. No detail is given on how the PRA activities were carried out as the emphasis is on the information collected, including case-studies on the impact on women's status.
This journal article presents a case study of the Social Forestry Support Programme in Vietnam, in which Participatory Curriculum Development (PCD) plays a fundamental part. Beginning with stakeholder identification and analysis, PCD provides an overall framework for educational development. Recognising constraints associated with the process, the paper describes strategies aimed at capacity building, management of stakeholder involvement and planning and evaluation. As different stakeholders learn to learn together through discourse and interaction, the chances of sustainable outcomes from the PCD process should be improved. The dynamic and flexible nature of PCD suggests that there is considerable potential for its adaptation and application in a range of different contexts.
A rapid food security assessment was carried out in Eastern Shewa and Western Hararghe to determine what CARE food-assisted projects have been undertaken, and what impact they have had on the participants. To determine whether the projects were properly designed, a rapid assessment of the household food security situation in each project area was carried out. Peasant Associations were selected on the basis of accessibility, main economic activity, distance from main roads, and history of food assistance. Two villages in which CARE assistance was not provided were surveyed in order to compare project areas with nonproject areas. Information sources included a document review, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Other interviews were conducted with government agencies, and collaborating institutions such as United Nations organizations and other NGOs.
This reports on ActionAid's project aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and responses in famine vulnerable areas in a number of African countries. It examines the setting up of Community Based Food Security Monitoring Systems (CBMS) that help field staff make timely predictions about impending food shortages. One of the principles of a CBMS is that it is 'people-centred', and the community should be involved with data collection, interpretation and response. The aim is to build up a picture of the way peoples' livelihoods operate and what constraints and stresses they face. To assess the food security situation, PRA techniques are used including semi-structured interviews with key informants and group discussions with farmers and village leaders. PRA is also used to collect data on early warning indicators. The paper comments however that it is best not to take a full community-managed approach in circumstances where a number of participatory prerequisites are not in place.
Examines the distinction between tree and land tenure, and the significance of this for forestry and other development projects. The use of rapid appraisals is discussed, with a range of techniques from the use of secondary documents and exisitng legal systems, to the discovery of informal rights. Discusses the sensitivity of tenure information, and importance of individual and group interviews, and sketch maps. The emphasis is on the importance of rights, particularly women's rights, to trees and tree products. Tenure rights may vary between individual holdings, the commons (where community rights and organisations are important) and Forest reserves. Predominantly RRA, even some questionaire use.
A basic introduction to the techniques that could be used in participatory monitoring and evaluation. Outlines the development and utility of participatory monitoring and evaluation as of the late 1980's, and how it has evolved for use in community forestry projects. The methods used (community selection and community problem analysis as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation) are discussed, including specific evaluation events and the methods for dissemination and communication of results. Finally, some of the tools used are given, with an overview of their main characteristics, uses and drawbacks. While these tools are not termed PRA in this report, they are the same as tools used at the participatory appraisal stage.
Outlines the ideas and concepts of PAME, its benefits and applicability to community forestry programmes, including discussions on the definition of community forestry. The second section is divided into participatory assesment, baselines, monitoring and evaluation, describing methods, purposes and benefits for each. The use of participatory, predominantly visual, techniques, their efficiency and openness to the community is discussed, along with presentation within the community through photos, diagrams, theatre, charts - presentation to groups, by groups. Finally the tools themselves are illustrated, recognising that within each situation, there will be different applications. Twenty-three tools are described, with mention of their purpose, benefits, uses and the precautions that must be taken in their use.
This brief article outlines how Participatory Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (PAME) can be used in the context of gender and community forestry. PAME consists of three interlinked and complementary components: 1) Idea, the 'idea' is that the field staff are facilitators or catalysts rather than directors; 2) Methods, this consists of 'assessment', usually conducted by local people who identify and prioritise their problems, 'monitoring' conducted throughout implementation through recording information decided by local people, and 'evaluation' which takes place after activities have begun to ascertain whether objectives have been or are being achieved; 3) Tools, twenty three 'tools' are said to be available that take gender and environment into consideration. Three examples are given - 'drawing and discussion', 'historical mapping' and 'community environmental assessment'. The PAME approach reverses traditional development approaches because analyses is done by the community rather than outside experts. Focus groups with women offer an opportunity to focus on gender and environment as related issues.
Outreach was brought in to facilitate a "participatory self evaluation" of a HIDA/MYRADA agroforestry programme: the process of the workshop is detailed here. A SWOT analysis was carried out, looking at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the programme in small groups. On the second day, the key questions identified were discussed: levels of participation in the programme and peoples' priorities; institutional issues; technology; training. From these, it was felt that the programme did have a different approach to other programmes, due to support, equity and training. An approach for future programme management was worked out, discussing problems, goals, conflicts and government roles. Several examples of exercises such as mapping are given, from the different groups within the agroforestry programme. The conclusion reached was that the programme has started to "make a difference", and that changes in attitudes and in practice have occurred. The evaluation also highlighted areas for further development.
The author argues the need to include women's issues in an RRA, since "analysis of likely or actual "before" and "after" situations are less obvious for women than for men". The "tarmac bias" is more significant for women than for men, so the RRA approach can offer significant gains. The article outlines how the RRA process can explore women's issues, but stresses the danger of "compartmentalising them" within the eventual overall report.
