Analysis of Tools in Participatory Rural Appraisal

(Assessment of Bgy. Masin Tayabas, Quezon Philippines for Organic Vegetable Production)

Introduction

Statement of the Problem

In every Participatory Rural Appraisal are PRA tools. These tools are visualizations and diagrams

meant to enhance the understanding of the community situation. The skill in analysing these tools is

therefore important. How PRA charts can aid in assessing the potential of a community for a certain

project will depend on these analysing skills.

Significance of the Study

This study will serve as students’ practice in analysing PRA charts by assessing the potentialof an

actual community to adapt a certain project. This will simultaneously show the importance, functions, as

well as limitations of PRA tools in appraising a community. This study can also serve as an assessment of

the potential of Bg. Masin Tayabas, Quezon for organic vegetable production.

Objectives of the Study

This study aims to:

Develop skills in analysing PRA charts

Determine the importance of PRA charts in assessing a community

Determine the potential of a community for organic vegetable production

Methodology

Sample PRA charts (land use map, institutional diagram, external stakeholders’ analysis,

livelihood matrix, and resource flow diagram) are shown to class. These charts are previously made by

farmers of Bgy. Masin Tayabas, Quezon facilitated by former students of ASYS 145 and faculty members

from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The present students analyzed and interpreted each

charts. They combined their interpretations so as to come up with a community assessment

encompassing its bio-physical, economic/livelihood, institutional, and social components. The

assessment was geared towards determining the potential of the Barangay for organic vegetable

production.

Results and Discussion

The PRA charts showed different aspects of the community. Basically, the land use map showed

the bio-physical component; institutional diagram and external stakeholders’ analysis showed the policy

and institutional component; while the livelihood matrix and resource flow diagram showed the

economic as well as some of social components. Together, these tools are used to assess the community

under study using systems analysis.

The land-use map showed the bio-physical component of the Barangay, specifically on how the

land is distributed for agricultural, residential, institutional and other uses. Because the community is an

agricultural one, the map mainly showed the kind of crops grown and the live stocks raised in the area

with their geographical distribution. It also gives overview in economic and social status of the

households in the community.

Table 1 shows the major findings derived from the land use map and its effect on the potential

of the Barangay for organic vegetable production.

Major Observations Effects

Positive Negative

Rice is the main crop Rice straw and rice hulls can be used as organic fertilizers

Competition for land space

There are existing small scale animal raising

Animal manure can be used as organic fertilizers

Unintentional animal grazing on vegetables

Main source of water comes from the river that also irrigates the rice fields

Water source for vegetable production Water source may carry agro-chemical residues

There are existing empty land space

Land space potential for vegetable farming

___

There are a lot of trees, specifically fruit trees planted in the area

Crop residues like coconut husk, banana peeling, stem and stalk can be used as organic fertilizers

May also be a competitor for land space

Table 1 Major Observations And Interpretations From Land Use Map.

The institutional diagram and external stakeholders’ analysis gave information on the social

composition of the community. It shows significant individuals, groups and institutions in the community

and their relationships, the relevance of their roles and status to the development theme under

discussion. It also gave information on community leadership and power status: it showed who has

authority to make or influence certain decisions and who are the formal and informal leaders

(Anyaegbunam, 2004).

Table 2 shows the major observations drawn out from institutional diagram and external

stakeholders’ analysis.

Major Observations Effects

Existing farmers association and bgy. Agrarian reform committee

Organizing the community for the introduction and monitoring of organic vegetable farming will be easier

Heavy two-way interaction between MAO, TFFA, TSPI, TCMC, Ilasan Multi-purpose cooperative and the community

Financial, technical, and political assistance will be available

High government officials are specifically pointed out

Government officials can hold great influence (and authority) towards the community towards adapting organic vegetable production

Table 2 Major Observations And Interpretation From Institutional Diagram And External Stakeholders’ Analysis.

The institutional diagram and external stakeholders’ analysis also helps to identify other

organizations that are not yet interacting with the community but may help in implementing the project

of organic vegetable production. It also showed the main external stakeholders who can be approached,

and whose support is much needed, for the implementation and success of the project.

The resource flow diagram and livelihood matrix gave a general view of the livelihood of the

community. It tells the input and output flows or interrelationships of the different components within

and outside the community (Calub, 2004). It also helps in predicting the possible behaviour of the

community as a response to the introduction of organic vegetable production.

Table 3 shows the information obtained from resource flow diagram and livelihood matrix and

how each affects the potential of the community for organic vegetable production.

Major Observations Effects

Already producing and utilizing organic fertilizer from crop residues and animal manures

Knowledge of organic fertilizer is not foreign to the community, introduction of further knowledge on the matter is adaptable

Very few non-farm activities/source Vegetable farming can be viewed as additional income

There are existing bgy. Market agents for products like goat, chicken, pork, horse

Having an agent for organic products can be easily adapted

despite the use of organic fertilizer, the community has no organic crops

the community has no existing marketing system for organic products

Table 3 Major Observations And Interpretations From Resource Flow Diagram And Livelihood Matrix.

To compile all these observations and interpretations, Table 4 shows a SWOT matrix of the

potential of Bgy. Masin Tayabas, Quezon for organic vegetable production. This tool also distinguishes

which situations are intrinsic to the community and which are external. This will help in situation

assessment that will be shown more clearly in the STEEP analysis.

Strengths

Existing farmers association and bgy. Agrarian reform committee

Knowledge of organic fertilizer is not foreign to the community, introduction of further knowledge on the matter is adaptable

crop residues and animal manures that are used as organic fertilizer are easily available in the community

there are existing land space which can be used for organic vegetable production

alternative source of income is lacking in the community

Organic farming is most relevant to small sized farms

Weaknesses

venturing in vegetable production is not popular in the community

Market potential of organically produced vegetable is not fully realized by farmers

the knowledge of the farmers in organic farming as well as vegetable production is not prime

The marketing system of organic products is still weak compared to the market for products of conventional farming

the community has no existing marketing system for organic products

organic farming is labor intensive

Opportunities

there is financial, technical, and political assistance to the community available through MAO, TFFA, TSPI, TCMC, Ilasan Multi-purpose cooperative

organic farming is supported by the national government

There is increasing market demand for organically produced vegetables

Higher price for organically produced vegetables than conventionally produced

Threats

Unintentional animal grazing on vegetables

Water source may carry agro-chemical residues

availability of free synthetic fertilizers and pesticides from external institutions

threat in unstable marketing system of organic products

Table 4 SWOT Matrix of the Potential Of Bgy. Masin Tayabas, Quezon for Organic Vegetable Production

The information in the SWOT matrix is further analyzed in table 5, STEEP analysis of the

adaptability of organic vegetable production in Bgy. Masin Tayabas, Quezon. This provides a more

systems analysis of the situation. It does not only assess the potential of the barangay for the project but

it also provides suggestions in order to make the community more compatible for organic vegetable

production.

Criterion Advantages Disadvantages assessment Preconditions to overcome Disadvantage

Social or Cultural Acceptability

> Production and utilization of organic fertilizer is already accepted and practiced by the community > Some neighbouring rural barangays are already producing organic vegetables

>Large part of the community is into rice production >Vegetable production is not a popular venture

>Advantages outweigh the disadvantage because organic vegetable production can be viewed by the community as an alternative livelihood source

>Promote vegetable production as additional source of income for those already in other crop production and as a stable and sustainable source of income for those who are not

Technical Feasibility

>The farmers already have existing knowledge on producing their own organic fertilizer >There are live stocks and crops which are source of manures and crop residues used as organic fertilizers >There are potential land space for vegetable production >Organic farming is most relevant to small sized farms

>Farmers still lack knowledge on organic agriculture >They also lack knowledge and experience in planting vegetables >The access to agro-chemical inputs is easier compared to organic inputs

>The advantages are more intrinsic to the community than the disadvantages: the external properties are easier to change (by external interventions) compared to internal properties so the advantages still outweigh the disadvantages

>To overcome disadvantages , the farmers would need help from external stakeholders that will: improve their understanding of organic vegetable production, improve their farm practices, and provide access to organic inputs

Economic or Financial Viability

>Vegetable production will help the household to be self-sufficient >Vegetable production can serve as alternative source of income >There is increasing

>Market potential of organically produced vegetable is not fully realized by farmers >The marketing system of organic products is still weak compared to the market for products

>Advantages outweigh disadvantages; like the technical feasibility, given external intervention, the first disadvantage can be easily overcome; while the second

>Improve the farmers understanding of the potential of organic vegetables in the market as well as marketing strategies of their produce

Table 5 STEEP Analysis Of The Adaptability Of Organic Vegetable Production In Bgy. Masin Tayabas,

Quezon

market demand for organically produced vegetables >Higher price for organically produced vegetables than conventionally produced

of conventional farming

disadvantage is out of farmers (direct) control it is still compensated by the market potential of organic vegetables

Environmental Soundness

>organic vegetable production is ecological: it is favourable to farmers health and their environment: it enhance soil productivity, preserves natural biodiversity, and mitigate greenhouse effect

>environmental soundness is not always a main concern of the community which is overridden by financial needs

>advantages outweigh the disadvantages

>improve farmers understanding of the environmental benefits of organic farming and how they can be a help towards ecological agriculture

Policy or Political Support

>The community has existing farmers association and bgy. Agrarian reform committee >they receive assistance from MAO, TFFA, TSPI, TCMC, Ilasan Multi-purpose cooperative > organic farming is supported by the national government

> the community is open to agro-chemical companies like Bayer C and Orgamin >the political support that the community is currently receiving is towards conventional farming

>advantages outweigh disadvantages as long as local government is not against organic vegetable production

> organic farming is very dependent on political support, when at least local government support is secured, the disadvantage will be overcome

In overall assessment, from the STEEP analysis as well as SWOT matrix, Bgy. Masin Tayabas,

Quezon is compatible for organic vegetable production project. The project will have a lot of constraints

from different components of the community. However, given support and intervention from external

stakeholders, these constraints can be overcome. But the most important factor for the success of the

project remains to be the attitude of the farmer. Their production of organic fertilizers from rice straw

and hulls, as well as animal manure is a good indicator of the acceptability of the project to farmers. In

terms of bio-physical adaptability of organic vegetable production in the barangay, the bio-physical

situation of the community is also deemed favourable.

Conclusion

The PRA tools are very useful in drawing out needed information from the community. The

study showed how important it is to know the objective of the community appraisal before making use

of any PRA tools. From this study, the proper combination of some tools is enough to make necessary

analysis of the community which is in line with the objective of the appraisal. The combination of land

use map, institutional diagram, external stakeholders’ analysis, livelihood matrix, and resource flow

diagram showed the situation of the community as a system: giving information on its bio-physical,

socio-cultural, economic, and political components. This gave a holistic view of the community which is

needed before assessing whether the barangay is compatible to any project of intervention or not. This

study also showed how, one PRA tool can be used to analyse or supplement the other. The use

therefore, of PRA tools is very flexible allowing their strategic combinations to satisfy the overall goal of

the community appraisal.

Although the tools prove to be important in appraising a community, it also showed some

limitations. The assessment made above will not be possible without further information that is not

present in the given PRA tools. It just goes to show that PRA tools are vital but not sufficient to draw

accurate community analysis. Given the limitations of PRA tools, the proper facilitation in making them

becomes more important. Moreover, the proper and thorough analysis of these tools also becomes

more crucial.

Since the PRA tools used in this study are only analyzed by students who did not take part in the

actual PRA, it shows the importance of making the tools open for future interpretations and by different

people as well. But the more important conclusion is that, the tools can be better understood and

analyzed by people who are involved in making them: in this case, the farmers and the facilitators. It

means that the farmers should also play a role in analysing the tools, as it is their own community, their

own farm practice that is under study.

References:

Calub BM. 2004. Participatory rural appraisal guidebook. 2nd ed. University of the Philippines Los Baños – Farming Systems and Soil Resources Institute – Agricultural Systems Cluster and Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture. 83p. Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development. Sustainable development through organic agriculture, Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD, 2000. 110p. (book series No. 170) http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq6/en/