User's Perspectives for Participatory Research and Development

Publication year: 
1991

The paper argues that PRA is a distinctive and innovative method because it is problem-focused. It offers a unique opportunity for researchers to work in partnership with farmers or the rural poor in joint identification of the range of local variables which may be connected to a given problem. Here the need for a user perspective to become integral in research and development is identified; farmers need to be viewed as subjects and not objects. It is suggested that the phrase "user" could be more appropriately replaced with the term stakeholder which incorporates all those who have a vested interest in the efficient and effective operation of systems. This would encompass a range of parties from the farmers to policy makers. Six roles for stakeholders are suggested for future research and development: * Providers of information * Partners in identifying research and development priorities * Partners in developing research, management strategies and technologies * Partners in experimental management of the resource or new technology * Partners in assessing performance of a technology or management strategy * Partners in training and institutional development

Interest groups: 
May be of interest to researchers and fieldworkers, as well as those involved in increasing levels of community participation in irrigation and other natural resource projects.
Source publication information
Source: 
Mimeo
Publisher
International Irrigation Management Institute
Colombo
Holdings: 
IDS, IRR1
Publisher reference: 
International Irrigation Management Institute

How to find this resource

Shelfmark in IDS Resource Centre
D : Irrigation 486