Participatory Learning and Action 13:
RRA Notes 13: Proceedings of the February 1991 Bangalore PRA Trainers WorkshopIIED, August 1991. 94 pp.
Out of print except as part of a full set of back issues:
Summary
In February of 1991, MYRADA, an NGO based in Bangalore, convened a three-day workshop to enable practitioners to come together and share their experiences. The PRA Trainers Workshop was attended by 35 PRA trainers, representing 18 different institutions.
The objective of this special issue of RRA Notes is to share some of the thoughts and findings of the workshop participants. There are two main sections. The first is an overview of the major issues arising during group discussions and presentations. The second contains 13 different papers representing overviews and case studies of PRA, particularly detailing innovations in both methods and process.
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PART A: Overview of the Workshop
Overview of PRA in India: review and future directions
James Mascarenhas, Parmesh Shah, Sam Joseph, Ravi Jayakaran, John Devavaram, Vidya Ramachandran, Aloysius Fernandez, Robert Chambers and Jules Pretty
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Abstract
Summarises issues and concerns which arised at the 1991 PRA Trainers Workshop in Bangalore. The issues discussed are: methods and innovations, training, PRA in government, villagers as analysts, quality assurance, attitudes and behaviour, documentation of PRA, monitoring and evaluation, dangers, weaknesses and challenges, impact and implications of PRA, follow-up networking needs and sources.
PART B: PRA papers
1. PRA and Participatory Learning Methods: recent experiences from MYRADA and South India
James Mascarenhas
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Abstract
MYRADA, an NGO working in about 2,000 villages in South India, developed an approach called PALM from their early experiments with RRA. This article describes the areas in which PALM has been used (eg natural resource development) and outlines a typical PALM training exercise. It also shows how a PRA approach can become integrated within NGO project planning through a defined training model.
2. Sharing our limited experience for trainers
Aloysius Fernandez, James Mascarenhas and Vidya Ramachandran
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Abstract
MYRADA, an NGO working in Karnataka, India, has been using PRA/PALM (Participatory Learning Methods) since 1988. This article reflects on their learning experiences, concentrating on the organisation and approach needed when carrying out PRA activities in a village. PRA/PALM should be more than a training for outsiders - the purpose of the exercise should be clear to all. PRA activities tend to focus upon issues that can yield hard data rather than touch upon relationships. Other reflections include: the composition of the groups of PRA facilitators and of villagers, how to enter the village and 'fit in', materials required, duration and timing of training.
3. Participatory Rural Appraisal and Planning (PRAP): the experience of AKRSP
Parmesh Shah, Girish Bharadwaj and Ranjit Ambastha
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Abstract
This article explains the approach used by the AKRSP to enable rural people to develop their capacity to analyse their situation and evolve their own plans. It is used in very different contexts, including watershed development and semi-arid areas. The article details the approach and methodology used by village institutions (initially with AKRSP support), which involves the following steps: deciding on the planning objective; deciding on the methodology and participants; informing villagers; base map preparation; transects; equity aspects; focus groups; village meeting; management plans; community proposal. The article also mentions several problems faced by PRAP and suggestions for trainers.
4. Farmers as analysts and facilitators in Participatory Rural Appraisal and Planning
Parmesh Shah, Girish Jharadwaj and Ranjit Ambastha
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Abstract
Farmers are seen as informants in most development projects, despite their detailed knowledge and understanding of processes. In the work of the Aga Khan Rural Support Project, the farmers not only gather the information themselves, but they analyse it and make decisions based on their own analysis. The article gives a number of ways in which farmers are encouraged to develop their information gathering and analytical skills. It also discusses farmers' abilities as facilitators and presenters.
5. PRA in Malda District, West Bengal: report of a training workshop for ActionAid India and Tagore Society for Rural Development
Thomas Joseph and Sam Joseph
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Abstract
A detailed account of a five day training course in PRA for NGO staff working on a project in West Bengal. After a day's introduction to PRA techniques, the field work in Kharamdanga village began: descriptions of each day's activities are given, with methodology used and findings. A time line, social map, transect and resource map are illustrated visually. The report concludes with a list of PRA methods found useful to the NGOs involved.
6. PRA for rural resource management
John Devavaram, Ms Nalini, J. Vimalnathan, Abdul Sukkar, Krishnan, A. P. Mayandi and Karunanidhi
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Abstract
This article describes a three day workshop on PRA conducted by the NGO SPEECH in Tamil Nadu. The main purpose of the PRA was to discuss the rehabilitation of an irrigation tank network, while introducing the concepts of PRA to the participants.
7. Anantapur experiment in PRA training
Somesh Kuma
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Abstract
This five day training in PRA for officers on a Government watershed programme in Andhra Pradesh, India, had two main objectives : i) to plan the watershed programme with the communities ii) to build up a team spirit and better communication between members of the watershed teams (made up of different government departments). The report concentrates more on the latter objective and does not give any detail of the fieldwork or findings.
8. PRA camp at Mahilong, Bihar: Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra
Ravi Jayakaran
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Abstract
This paper describes a PRA training exercise at Mahilong, Bihar, conducted by the NGO Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra (KGVK). It discusses the sequence adopted at the camp, special features of the programme and the opportunities the camp gave to discuss issues with farmers from the area.
9. Wealth ranking in Mahilong, Bihar
Anup Sarkar
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Abstract
Reports briefly on a wealth ranking exercise and argues that using people from different socio-economic classes leads to different sets of criteria for such ranking.
10. PRA approach and strategy: the HIDA/MYRADA Agroforestry Programme in Andhra Pradesh
Eva Robinson
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Abstract
This article describes in broad terms lessons learned by the Hope International Development Agency (HIDA) Social Forestry Program in Andrah Pradesh. PRA has been useful for several reasons; encouraging village participation, understanding connections between problems encountered in the villages, and ensuring the involvement of women and their inclusion in forestry projects. HIDA has used a film produced by MYRADA project and developed a slide presentation for use in community discussions.
11. Participatory impact monitoring of a soil and water conservation programme by farmers, extension volunteers and AKRSP
Parmesh Shah, Girish Bharadwaj and Ranjit Ambastha
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Abstract
The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) supports soil and water conservation work on private land, a priority identified by villagers, as part of a watershed management project. Villagers suggested that monitoring should look at: erosion controlled; land reclaimed; moisture retention in soil (as inferred from crop growth); and productivity and income generation. The article goes through the process of participatory impact monitoring, illustrated by real results. The benefits of such monitoring are listed, most of them related to increased farmer understanding of processes and control over further experimentation.
12. PRA: a brief note on ActionAid's experience
Sam Joseph
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Abstract
A brief note discussing PRA both as a methodology and as an attitude.
13. MYRADA Kamasamudram project: a brief report
A. L. Shivaraja, Rajendra Prasad, T G Bhat, Anjaneya Reddy, Amarnatha Jadav and Benedicta Cutinha
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Abstract
The paper reports on the MYRADA Kamasamudram project and reviews its objectives to: (1) plan a micro watershed in a participatory way; (2) provide more experience in PRA methods for staff; (3) train staff; and (4) to introduce the PRA approach to appraisal to the villagers. The paper contains a brief note on the exercises conducted, the highlights of the exercise, the opinion of participants, and the method and extent of adoption of the key features discussed by the participants.