Participatory Extension Participatory Extension MethodMethod

R P SinghR P SinghAssociate Director ExtensionAssociate Director Extension

AdvantagesAdvantages

• EfficiencyEfficiency

• EffectivenessEffectiveness

• Self RelianceSelf Reliance

• CoverageCoverage

• SustainabilitySustainability

Participatory Extension – Basic Elements and Relationship

Problem IdentificationProblem Identification

Problem AnalysisProblem Analysis• In the course of the diagnosis, the various In the course of the diagnosis, the various

socio-interest groups identify the major socio-interest groups identify the major problems. In order to seek valid solutions, it is problems. In order to seek valid solutions, it is necessary to describe and understand the necessary to describe and understand the problem in detail by posing the following problem in detail by posing the following questions:questions:

•• What exactly causes the problems?What exactly causes the problems?•• Who are affected by these problems? How?Who are affected by these problems? How?•• What will happen if the problems are not What will happen if the problems are not

solved?solved?•• So far the problems have not been solved. So far the problems have not been solved.

Why?Why?•• Do we intend to solve the problems?Do we intend to solve the problems?•• What can be done to solve the problems?What can be done to solve the problems?

Objectives & MethodologyObjectives & Methodology

• The objectives of problems analysis are:The objectives of problems analysis are:

• To identify the causes and effects of priority To identify the causes and effects of priority problems indicated by the village residents.problems indicated by the village residents.

• To select the most relevant causes which the To select the most relevant causes which the village residents can and wish to addressvillage residents can and wish to address

• Methodology: The methods and tools used for Methodology: The methods and tools used for problems analysis are:problems analysis are:

• a) Village introductory meeting anda) Village introductory meeting and

• b) Problem treeb) Problem tree

Village Introductory MeetingVillage Introductory Meeting

• Selection of problems for analysisSelection of problems for analysis– A problem for which numerous causes have A problem for which numerous causes have

apparently been responsible.apparently been responsible.– One of the priority problems indicated by One of the priority problems indicated by

the majority of socio-interest groups; this the majority of socio-interest groups; this maymay

– indicate that a large number of people in the indicate that a large number of people in the village have been affected by the problem.village have been affected by the problem.

– Problems in the priority list which are of Problems in the priority list which are of interest to the service agencies represented.interest to the service agencies represented.

Cont..Cont..

• Course of the MeetingCourse of the Meeting– The facilitator explains the objectives of problem The facilitator explains the objectives of problem

analysisanalysis– The residents are divided into sub-groups and The residents are divided into sub-groups and

allocated problems analysisallocated problems analysis– The number of sub-groups should depend on the The number of sub-groups should depend on the

number of complex problems and thenumber of complex problems and the– number and the number of the facilitators number and the number of the facilitators

available.available.– It is important that the technical staff from It is important that the technical staff from

relevant service agencies participate in the relevant service agencies participate in the problem analysis.problem analysis.

Problem TreeProblem Tree

Steps in Participatory Steps in Participatory ApproachesApproaches

• Rapport buildingRapport building

• DIY (Do-It Yourself)DIY (Do-It Yourself)

• Consultations with the Consultations with the villagers and outsidersvillagers and outsiders

• Secondary Data CollectionSecondary Data Collection

• Training of TrainersTraining of Trainers

• DiagnosisDiagnosis

Some of the these approaches Some of the these approaches areare• Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)• Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)• Participatory Learning Methods (PALM)Participatory Learning Methods (PALM)• Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AEA)Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AEA)• Participatory Action Research (PAR)Participatory Action Research (PAR)• Participatory Assessment, Monitoring and Participatory Assessment, Monitoring and

Evaluation (PAME)Evaluation (PAME)• Farming Systems Research (FSR)Farming Systems Research (FSR)• Participatory Rural Appraisal and Planning Participatory Rural Appraisal and Planning

(PRAP)(PRAP)

Distinguishing Features of Distinguishing Features of Participatory Rural Appraisal Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)(PRA)

• Closed to OpenClosed to Open

• Measurement to ComparisonMeasurement to Comparison

• Individual to GroupIndividual to Group

• Democracy of the GroundDemocracy of the Ground

• Verbal to VisualVerbal to Visual

• Higher to LowerHigher to Lower

• Reserve to RapportReserve to Rapport

Principles of PRAPrinciples of PRA

• Listening and LearningListening and Learning

• Offsetting BiasesOffsetting Biases

• Utilization of precious Community TimeUtilization of precious Community Time

• Seeking DiversitySeeking Diversity

• Triangulation /Cross checkingTriangulation /Cross checking

• Optimal ignorance and appropriate Optimal ignorance and appropriate imprecisionimprecision

• Multi-disciplinary TeamMulti-disciplinary Team

Behavioral Principles of PRABehavioral Principles of PRA

• Handing over the StickHanding over the Stick

• Self-critical AwarenessSelf-critical Awareness

• Use Your Best JudgmentsUse Your Best Judgments

• From Stealing to SharingFrom Stealing to Sharing

Participatory Tools and Participatory Tools and TechniquesTechniques

•Space related PRA MethodsSpace related PRA Methods– Social MapSocial Map– Resource MapResource Map– TransectTransect– Mobility MapMobility Map

•Time Related PRA MethodsTime Related PRA Methods– Time lineTime line– Trend AnalysisTrend Analysis– Seasonal diagramSeasonal diagram

Cont..Cont..

•Relation Related PRA Methods– Cause and effect diagram– Well-being Ranking– Venn diagram