Resources

This book considers how community-based technical aid can be made more effective and sustainable. Calling for development workers, policy makers and researchers to put themselves in the place of the intended beneficiaries of aid, it suggests concrete principles for action and research. It argues that community-based participatory research and 'transfer of technology' are not rival models of development but complementary components in a sigle process of effective aid.

ActionAid, a British NGO, carried out PRAs in Dingiraay and Ndawen in The Gambia, with the aim of creating a "community action plan". This report describes the process in Dingiraay, from introducing the concept of PRA to the community through leaflets and opening ceremony to conducting the activities, analysing the data, deciding options and working out the final plan. PRA activities were introduced in "sets": spatial (village sketch map, transect), temporal (time line, trend line, seasonal calendar) and institutional (inventory and ranking). Methods, findings and organization are described and evaluated in detail, including participants' responses. The report shows how the community participated in analysing the data and planning development activities, and the tensions involved. The conclusion looks at "lessons learned", such as wealth ranking activities creating mistrust.

This paper presents the experience of farmer participation in irrigation management in Sri Lanka, in an attempt to address key issues of resource mobilization and production system sustainability. Participation was initiated either with scheme rehabilitation or modernization. However, it was found that participation in irrigation management dates back 2500 years. The paper notes particular areas where participation should be emphasised in order to overcome management difficulties: operation and maintenance; rehabilitation and modernization; resolution of conflicts; input co-ordination and decision making.

The participatory watershed development programme has been ongoing since 1989, though nearing completion. The entire village community is included. The booklet illustrates indicators of programme impact, which the report discusses in greater detail. The links between different actors are strong, and it has proved possible to expand the project to other villages in the region. It is felt that some influence on macro-policies, such as use of the forest by local populations has also ben acheived. The participatory approach taken is explored, as the key influence on the programme. PRA is not used directly. Several lifestories are included, including villagers assesments of the changes in the area due to the programme. Available in booklet and report form, slight differences but content similar. The report contains much more detailed analysis, the booklet is for circulation.

In the U.M.P. Communal Lands and Mudzi District Agricultural Development Projects in Zimbabwe, informal surveys based on RRA methods (e.g. semi-structured interviews), and seminars on sustainable agriculture, were used to identify and analyse the major constraints on agricultural production in the project areas. The paper includes reflections on the methods used and the quality of results. After setting up a problem tree together with farmers, activities were suggested to tackle prioritised problem areas. Experience shows that this approach is useful as a first step in project planning. Recommendations are made to improve the process and enhance farmer participation.