Participatory Learning and Action 15:
RRA Notes 15: Applications of Wealth RankingIIED, May 1992. 77 pp.
Out of print except as part of a complete set of back issues:
Summary
At the end of 1991 a series of IIED/IDS seminars identified several issues that merited extra attention in RRA Notes. One of these was wealth ranking, which this special issue focuses on. Wealth ranking has sparked much interest as identifying the poor and ‘poorest of the poor’ continues both to be both necessary and difficult. The myth of relative well-being as a sensitive topic is being challenged and has led to innovations such as the visualisation of poverty on maps produced by large groups. This issue of RRA Notes includes case studies from the Gambia, India, Zaire, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Philippines, Nepal, and Switzerland.
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1. The elusive poor: a wealth of ways to find them. Report on an IDS/IIED seminar on wealth and well-being ranking
Irene Guijt
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Abstract
This is a compendium of papers presented at IDS/IIED seminar on 'Wealth and Well-Being Ranking'. Most comments and questions focused on definitions, applicability and sensitivity. The last section looks at the questions left unanswered, and is concerned with what happens over a longer time period, whether wealth ranking can be implemented over a wider area, and notes the difficulty experienced with regard to passing wealth ranking ideas on to community facilitators.
2. Wealth ranking in the Gambia: which households participated in the FITT programme?
Marie-Therese Sarch
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Abstract
The wealth ranking exercise described in this paper was part of a wider PRA exercise to evaluate the value of the FITT programme. Three key themes emerged from the wealth ranking exercise carried out in Boiram and Yonna. First, results of a differing nature were obtained from similar exercises. Second, the FITT programme did not reach the poorest in both cases. Lastly, the need to be flexible became apparent from the experience gained in both villages. The advantages and disadvantages of working in groups and working with individuals are also discussed.
3. Villagers' perceptions of rural poverty through the mapping methods of PRA
Neela Mukherjee
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Abstract
This article discusses the problems of the use of official poverty line indicators to identify the poor. The author describes her work in two villages in West Bengal where mapping was used to identify different strata of poor people. The villagers' perceptions of poverty include a much greater range of indicators, such as access to common property resources and ownership of land, which are not related to income levels. She cautions against the use of a single, income-related indicator to target the poor in poverty alleviation programmes.
4. The ‘beans-game’ – experiences with a variation of wealth ranking in the Kivu Region, Eastern Zaire
Stefanie S. Schaefer
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Abstract
A variation of card sorting using beans is described in this article. The project sought detailed information about sub-groups within the target population so that staff could adapt the projects' activities to different needs.
5. Direct and indirect uses of wealth ranking in Mongolia
Robin Mearns, D. Shombodon, G. Narangerel, U. Turul, A. Enkhamgalan, B. Myagmarzhav, A. Bayanjargal and B. Bekhsuren
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Abstract
Privatisation of state cooperatives in Mongolia is having a major impact on the largely pastoral households, hitherto assumed to have a large degree of economic equality. The authors used wealth ranking by cards to investigate this alleged equality and whether slight 'wealth' differences now would lead to a greater inequality later, due to new economic opportunities. Local people's definition of key production constraints were explored to identify potential policy options to ease such constraints.
6. Finding the poorest in a Tamil Nadu village: a sequence of mapping and wealth ranking
Jules Pretty, S. Subramanian, N. Kempu Chetty, D. Ananthakrishnan, C. Jayanthi, S. Muralikrishnasamy and K. Renganayaki
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Abstract
A team from Tamil Nadu University describes how during a PRA, the team needed two days and a sequence of exercises and a series of interviews to finally discover the most marginalised group in the small town. The key lesson learnt was that PRA methods depend upon appropriate probing and sensitive attitudes and practice for success.
7. A simple method for scoring housing conditions as income proxy in Ethiopia
Mauro Ghirotti
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Abstract
The author describes using housing conditions in Ethiopia as a proxy for income. He compares the classification of households using housing conditions with estimated household incomes and showed they proves quite significant. He concludes by mentioning advantages and disadvantages of such proxy indicators.
8. FARMI's experiences of wealth ranking in the Philippines: different farmers have different needs
F.T. Banlina and Ly Tung
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Abstract
Farmers of differing wealth will have different problems and needs and varying ability to adopt proposed technologies. FARMI/ViSCA in the Philippines used wealth ranking with cards to understand better what research priorities and innovations were needed for different groups. This article highlights some important lessons from this experience with card sorting.
9. Cultural sensitivities on the rapid appraisal team
Donald A. Messerschmidt
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Abstract
Specifically concerned with the issue of behaviour and attitudes, this brief article discusses the need for cultural sensitivity when doing PRA research and work. The case study is based in Nepal. The specific behavioural and attitudinal pointer is that, in approaching villagers, it is intrusive for researchers to say that they are there to ask questions and probably more effective to indicate that they are there to talk about forestry and to learn from the local community.
10. Interviewing cows
Kassaye Hadgu, Mohammed Yisehak and Girmay Tekle
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Abstract
This brief note argues that not only wealth related information but also accurate livestock details are difficult to obtain. A cartoon shows how, by simply shifting to interviewing the animals rather than their owners, discussion becomes easier and information more detailed.
11. An architect from a different school
Ranjit Ambastha and Meera Shah
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Abstract
During a PRA in Gujarat the authors discovered a local architect. Though he had never worked with pen and paper before, one villager, Mansingh, provided valuable information on design alternatives. Only if people like Mansingh can be identified and tapped by agencies involved in constructing shelter for the poorer people, can these programmes be developed to suit the requirements of the local people using local technology.
12. Together get a grip on the future: RRA in the Emmental of Switzerland
Ueli Scheuermeier and Raymond Ison
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Abstract
A training centre for extension workers in the Emmental region of Switzerland used RRA to explore changes in the farming community. This article describes in detail the programme, highlighting methods specific to this 'Northern' context (for example, using the telephone book to locate farms). Certain methods, such as visualisation through using cards on pinboards, were already familiar as an established method of Swiss extension. Mind mapping for setting up a motivation system for the RRA as a whole proved useful for recruiting more team members and informing local journalists.
13. A user's note on wealth ranking by cards and list of sources on wealth ranking
Irene Guijt
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Abstract
A brief but useful note on how to do wealth ranking using cards. Wealth ranking is a method which illustrates relative wealth in an area - and thus may provide information for analysing the impact of development interventions in certain areas. The paper describes in detail the method, considering the preparation of the cards, explanations to the informant, card sorting and follow-up discussions.
14. NEW!!!! Tips for Trainers:
Fruit salad
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