Participatory Learning and Action 5:
| Issue 5 Contents
1. Letter to the Editor 2. The ‘fertiliser bush’ game: a participatory means of communication 3. Rapid appraisal for fuelwood planning in Nepal 4. Rapid food security assessment: a pilot exercise in Sudan 5. RRA has a role to play in developed countries |
RRA Notes 5: General Issue
IIED, May 1989. 33 pp.
Out of print except as part of a complete set of back issues:
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1. Letter to the Editor
Barbara Grandin
2. The ‘fertiliser bush’ game: a participatory means of communication
Kristin Cashman
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Abstract
The author describes problems encountered while supervising an on-farm research project in S.W. Nigeria. Her task of 'testing' alley farming under field conditions was made particularly difficult as there was no word to describe 'alley' in the local language. She devised solutions to these communication problems by involving a primary school in a drama production called the 'fertiliser bush'. Dialogue is given to show how concepts, such as poor production related to soil quality, could be put across easily through theatre.
3. Rapid appraisal for fuelwood planning in Nepal
John Soussan
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Abstract
Describes the whole sequence of an exploratory RRA in Nepal which was carried out to identify the sections of the community facing woodfuel stress, their response to this stress and the local resource opportunities for interventions to build a sustainable woodfuel future. The authors conclude that for this, rigorous quantification of supply and demand is not necessary, and pre-determination of technical choice is irrelevant, while a rapid appraisal is ideal for harnessing local knowledge and building on local initiatives.
4. Rapid food security assessment: a pilot exercise in Sudan
Simon Maxwell
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Abstract
A procedure referred to as a Rapid Food Security Assessment (RFSA) was carried out during November 1989 in nine communities in North Sudan using a methodology based on the 'Sondeo' approach to RRA. Interviews were carried out with representative households in the various communities using a checklist as the basis for an unstructured conversation. Although the surveys did not use wealth ranking, an effort was made to understand social stratification by asking villagers to estimate what proportion of different types of households made up the villages. The RFSA confirmed that in years with poor rainfall, the landless are doubly affected as wages fall and food prices rise. This has led to recommendations about income support through public works and grain price stabilisation.
5. RRA has a role to play in developed countries
Peter Ampt and Raymond Ison
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Abstract
The first RRA was carried out in Australia in 1988 with the aim of 'forging closer links between researchers and farmers, utilising farmers' expertise and determining possibilities for future agronomic research in the area'. The findings supported the original assumption that many of the problems that have been evident in developing countries are also evident in developed countries.