Fundamental of Extension Methods: Tools and Techniques of PRA
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This document discusses the tools and techniques of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). PRA is an approach that aims to empower local people through participation. It involves using various visual and interactive methods to share information, enhance understanding, analyze problems, and plan and take action. Some key PRA tools discussed are social mapping, resource mapping, seasonal calendars, timelines, matrix ranking, and focus group discussions. The document outlines the principles and goals of PRA, as well as guidelines for effectively applying its tools and techniques in a participatory manner.
Fundamental of Extension Methods: Tools and Techniques of PRA
- 1. Fundamental of Extension Methods: Tools and Techniques of PRA B.S.Meena
- 2. Extension Methods “What a man hears, he may doubt. What he sees he may possible doubt. But what he does himself he cannot doubt.” Seaman Knapp
- 3. Extension Methods • Program based on the needs of people • Plan of Work, Plan of Action • Implementation • Evaluation
- 4. Extension Methods by Nature of Contact • Individual Contact – Farm or Home Visit – Office Visit – Telephone Calls – Personal Correspondence – Result Demonstrations
- 5. Extension Methods by Nature of Contact • Group Contact – Meetings, Workshops and Short Courses – Method Demonstrations – Leader Training – Tours and Field Days – Organized Clubs – Camps – Teleconferences
- 6. Extension Methods by Nature of Contact • Mass Contact – News Stories and Personal Columns – Radio and Television – Newsletters – Publications – Exhibits – Interactive and Computer-aided instruction – Telephone Message Services – Web Sites – Satellite and Internet Conferences
- 7. Extension Methods by Form of Communication • Written – Bulletins, Fact Sheets, Publications, Newsletters, News Articles, and Personal Letters • Spoken – Meetings, Farm and Home Visits, Office Visits, Calls, Radio • Visual – Demonstrations, Exhibits, Slides, Videos, Television, Web Pages
- 8. Extension Methods by Function • Information Delivery – Meetings, newsletters, bulletins, correspondence • Skill Building – Workshops, demonstrations, role- playing • Problem Solving, knowledge applying – Synthesis of information and skills to solve real world problems of farms, families and communities
- 9. Advantages of Individual Contacts • Individualized instruction • First hand knowledge of local problems • Climate of readiness for learning • May be a quick and easy way to give information • Immediate feedback • Builds confidence in agent as a source of help • Can be used to contact hard to reach
- 10. Disadvantages of Individual Contacts • High cost per contact • Limits the total number of contacts • Requires good time management • Time for follow-up • Public perceptions if replies are not timely • May not reach priority audiences • Responses may not be well planned
- 11. Advantages of Group Contacts • Low cost per participant • Can reach large audiences • Adaptable to different learning styles • Experiential learning, group learning process • Use of demonstration methods • Programs can be repeated with one preparation • Recognizes need for social contact
- 12. Disadvantages of Group Contacts Requires high level of organization, equipment, resources Requires showmanship and skills at public speaking Ability to use variety of teaching techniques Limits meetings to locations appropriate to groups Programs must be presented when a group can attend Instruction must be planned for diversity of audience needs and interests
- 13. Advantages of Mass Contacts Reaches large audience Reaches those who might not attend meeting Can be very timely, reaches audience quickly Builds recognition and reputation of Extension Adaptable to variety of topics and audiences Used at learner’s convenience Can build a sustainable audience
- 14. Disadvantages of Mass Contacts • May be more expensive • Requires constant revision to stay current • Limited interaction or feedback • May create poor image if not well done • Radio and TV at convenience of station • May require extensive production time • Competes with “entertainment” programs
- 15. Newest Delivery Methods • Web Sites • Interactive Video Conferences • Interactive Web Conferences • Other New Methods • Pros and Cons
- 16. Week Six Discussion Questions • Identify at least six “Extension Teaching Methods” • Determine if the method is designed for: individual contact, group contact or mass contact. I prefer that your methods cut across more than one group. • For each of the six methods, describe the strengths and weaknesses of each method and be prepared to share in class discussion. • Think about which methods are more cost effective and which are higher in teaching and learning effectiveness • Think about what methods may be emerging and what methods may be decreasing in popularity. • Please base this weeks study on more than the reading assignments. Think about your own program observations and what you know of different teaching methods in Extension.
- 17. Audience Guidelines Individuals • Treat clients as equals rather than as persons of lower rank • Listen and guide interaction through open-ended questions • Be empathic rather than neutral, self-centred or judgmental • Discuss problems descriptively rather than evaluatively • Make sure advice is appropriate for the individual • Be able to demonstrate nutrition behaviour(s) recommended • Help people find individual solutions to their nutrition- related problems
- 18. Groups • Acknowledge group members and their individual experiences • Tolerate silence • Halt side conversations • Help the groups stay on the topic • Guide and encourage involvement without intimidation • Know when and how to resume control • Discourage unpleasant or dominant interactions • Balance speaking with listening and asking questions
- 19. • Extension work requires numerous methods and teaching tools. • Each has its place, and they supplement one another. • Together they provide the stimulus for interest, desire, action, and achievement. Extension Teaching Methods
- 20. Tools and techniques of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
- 21. PRA: Introduction and Definition • PRA : Participatory Rural Appraisal • Components: – People – Knowledge – Participation – Planning – Action • It is a combination of different approaches to – Share – Enhance – Analyze – Plan – Act For the betterment of the rural people with their participation • The secrets behind the success of PRA are – Decentralization – Empowerment
- 22. PRA: Origin • PRA has been evolved from RRA (Rapid Rural Appraisal) • In mid 80’s the necessity of participation in rural development became evident and the term PRA was born • The understanding of PRA came mostly from field rather than academia • PRA mostly focuses on the empowerment of people through participation • The sustainability rate of PRA is high due to the participation of the local people • The sense of ownership and belongingness helps to the success of PRA
- 23. Principles shared by PRA • Reversal of learning – To learn of the local people • Learning rapidly and progressively – Exploration, flexible methods, adaptable • Offsetting bias – To be receptive rather than preconceived ideas • Optimizing tradeoffs – Understanding the usefulness of information • Triangulating – Crosschecking and approximation
- 24. • Empowerment – The authority to local people through decentralization and confidence building • Self critical awareness – Mistakes are lessons to learn and to do better next time • Personal responsibility – The belongingness and ownership to the participants • Sharing – To discuss and argue about ideas in open forum with all stakeholders
- 25. What it is? Participatory research is not an alternative research method, but an approach that can be applied to any methodology – survey, experimental, qualitative (Lilja and Bellon 2008). “PRA methods, as they are often called, are visual and tangible and usually performed by small groups of people”. (Chambers 2007) PRA comprised of different research tools to facilitate local people in Analyzing information Practicing critical self-awareness Taking responsibility Sharing their knowledge of life and conditions to plan and to act.
- 26. Definition • As it has diverse application and has been changing rapidly any effort to define it might be folly and ‘unhelpful’. • “ An approach and methods for learning about rural life and conditions from, with and by rural people”. (Chambers 1994)
- 27. WHY PRA: PRA is a means to people’s participation • To understand the social aspects of the village • To develop common understanding on the village conditions and natural resource situation • To learn the criteria of farmers which influence their decision making process
- 28. • To select appropriate technology available to encounter a problem (i.e. exotic or indigenous technologies) • To observe the facts directly on the field, to discuss problems and solutions with farmers • To encourage resource poor and women to share their grievances • To identify and prioritize the needs
- 29. Principle Components of PRA Source: Chambers 2007.
- 30. Adopted from Chambers 2007
- 31. PRECAUTIONS IN THE USE OF PRA TOOLS • A tool (any tool) is only as good as its user. Much on the validity of PRA outputs depends on its users creativity, integrity and the situational appropriateness of the method selected • The user must clearly distinguish between perceptions, opinions and hearsay in analysis and planning • The selection of informants has to be done with care. Every body does not know everything neither does every body hold a view on all subjects
- 32. • The views expressed by a few members cannot be taken as a general view held by all • Cross-verification of data is a necessary part of a complete PRA exercise • Documentation poses several difficulties due to the wealth of information generated and the need to keep track of both process and output in ways understandable to all parties involved. • PRA exercises may raise the expectations of participants, therefore, have to be carefully initiated with proper explanations.
- 33. Important tools of PRA Basic Information General Transect Agro-ecological map Social map Resource map Seasonal calendar and analysis Gender disaggregated activities Time line Time trend
- 34. Technology map Matrix ranking Consequence diagram Bio-resource flow Wealth ranking Venn diagram Mobility map Indigenous traditional knowledge Problem Identification Technique Problem tree and solution tree
- 35. • Number of families living in the village and their population data • No.of farm families • Economic status • Educational status • Infrastructure facilities like roads, electricity, transport, storage and other public amenities • Interdependence of families on each other Informal/local leaders SOCIAL MAPPING
- 36. Natural Resources Map • Land types (class 1 to 8 ) • Land use patterns, area and percentage • Cropping pattern and main crops • Ridges and valleys, erosion / extent of land degradation • Irrigation sources • Waterbodies • Forest area • Type of trees in the forest • Existing farming systems
- 37. TRANSECT WALK Transect walk taken along with farmers helps to observe the facts directly on the field.
- 38. The Land utilization pattern, the soil gradient, percentage of slope, the amount of soil erosion, water erosion and other problems associated with soil and water and opportunities to mend them and the potentialities to further develop the resources can be understood by farmers and the PRA practitioners. Problems associated with input management pests, practices, low productivity can be observed and analyzed.
- 39. SEASONALITY DIAGRAM: Seasonal Variations in amount of rainfall, availability of residual moisture, fodder, employment opportunities, migration pattern, expenditure pattern, income flows and availability of minor forest products can be understood by making seasonal diagrams.
- 40. TIMELINE EXERCISE Over a period of time what changes are taking place in the status of land, water, vegetation and their effect on Socio-Economic pattern of the villagers can be known by using this technique. Trends in the amount of top soil and their losses Trends in land utilization pattern Soil cover Amount of rainfall Water retention capacity of the soil Water bodies, their size and location
- 41. Vegetation Usage of timber Transport facilities Migration pattern Influence of outside forces Cattle production Changes in predominant occupations
- 42. Matrix Ranking: Preferences for various items and factors influencing and contributing for decision making process can be understood through this technique Selection of crop in a particular piece of land Variety preference of a crop Watershed treatment works Trees ranking for social forestry in common lands Trees ranking for horticultural crops either in private or common lands Seeds, fertilizers, pesticides brands Markets Agricultural credit Agro-processing facilities
- 43. Focussed Group Discussions (FGD): FGDs help in understanding an issue thoroughly those who are either positively or negatively affected by an action / work in the village.
- 44. VENN DIAGRAM Helps us to understand the network of relationships of various institutions working for the village.
- 45. The information and understanding developed by using these PRA techniques has to be consolidated for use in planning. PRA can be used as a tool to bring about participation of villagers in the planning process.
- 46. Bibliography • Lilja , Nina and Mauricio Bellon ; Some common questions about participatory research: a review of the literature, Development in Practice, Volume 18, Numbers 4–5, August 2008. • Chambers, Robert; The Origins and Practice of Participatory Rural Appraisal. World Development, Volume 22, No 7, pp 953-969, 1994. • Chambers, Robert; From PRA to PLA and Pluralism: Practice and Theory, Working Paper 286, IDS, 2007. • Cornwall, Andrea; Towards participatory practice: participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and the participatory process in De Koning, Korrie and Martin Marion (1996). Participatory Research in Health: Issues and Experiences. Zen Books Ltd., London.