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The paper reports the results of a survey of 41 practitioners who where asked to report on the methods they were using on their projects, and the reasons for their success or failure. Most importantly this conventional approach to farming systems research failed to incorporate the experience and knowledge of farmers into its survey design. It is concluded that simple research questions can often provide the needed information in order that technologies useful to resource poor farmers are developed. [Abstract based on mimeo version]

This is abstracted in the annotated bibliography Famine Early Warning and Food Information Systems in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, Lambert et al, 1991, IDS Development Bibliography, no. 7.

This describes an attempt to use RRA to quickly deliniate agroecosystem zones and to see if RRA was applicable to the needs of the project. It was also used to identify development strategies for the project. Its relevance to watershed management is that it may be adapted for identifying different agroecological zones in a watershed, which will influence the kind of activities undertaken.

New agricultural technologies are often inappropriate to the needs of small farmers because scientists lack information about their needs and objectives. The IPRA method is a set of procedures which has been developed to put technology designers in regular contact with small farmers so they can better exchange information which will orient research to real needs. Farmers and scientists learn from each other and work together to identify problems, plan experiments and evaluate solutions. The aim is to mobilise the expertise and resourcefulness of small farmers so they can be active partners in agricultural research. The DVD demonstrates the various stages of the IPRA method as carried out in a village in rural Colombia. During first contacts with the villagers a rapport was established as the researchers attempted to carry out routine village tasks (09). Diagnostic meetings were then held for farmers to discuss common problems and the scope for improvement (10). When the farmers priorities had been established the researchers suggested new plant varieties, fertilisers and other components. The various options were considered for testing by the farmers (13). The farmers and researchers agreed on the components of the field trials and the same trial was conducted on several farms to obtain comparative results (14). The standing crop and the harvest were assessed by the farmers (17), and their families participated in evaluating samples of the products for flavour, quality and texture (18).

Farming Systems Research has focused on the generation of new technologies to improve production systems. New technologies often result in new products produced by farmers. It is therefore necessary to investigate the effect of change in production on the market for the product, and market potential before a product is promoted. Market assessments are not often done, partly due to a lack of information on marketing. This paper argues that rapid market assessment (RMA) is a quick and cheap means of assessing market potential at early stages of a project. The methodology of RMA, drawing on RRA is outlined. It consists of (i) locating areas where the product is currently marketed; (ii) generating a qualitative description of the market structure through informal interviews at each level of the marketing system; (iii) choosing a level of the system for detailed study; (iv) interviewing market participants to assess market potential. Finally an evaluation of market potential is made based on the quantity which could be produced and the net price to producers. A detailed example is given of its application to the market for goat cheese in Brazil.

This report examines small-scale, unlicensed charcoal production and distribution in Northeast Thailand. It is based largely on information obtained from individuals and households through RRA exercises, including semi -structured interviewing, observation and direct measurement (methods are discussed in Appendix A). Charcoal production and distribution are examined using a resource systems approach, dividing the process into steps: acquisition of wood (Ch. 3), transformation into charcoal (Ch. 4), and distribution and use in rural (Ch. 5) and urban (Ch. 6) areas. Major charcoal entrepreneurs are described in Chapter 2. Chapter 7 summarises findings and presents general conclusions and recommendations. These focus on forestry development projects to provide sustainable management of wood resources by villagers through the promotion of income generating activities. An appendix provides a historical account of changing production and resource patterns in the areas based on interviews with villagers.