Participatory rural appraisal approaches

Abstract

PRA allows those guiding agroforestry tree domestication activities to interact with the individuals and communities who will ultimately benefit. As a result, the knowledge, opportunities and constraints of local people are taken into account in the research and development process. There are different modes and types of participation – cooperating, consulting, collaborating, co-learning and collective action – involving communities, while several common sense ‘do’s and don’ts’ regulate the interaction between participants in the PRA process. PRA uses a number of tools whose function is to stimulate discussion and the sharing of information, as well as to allow reflection and analysis. It is, however, not a rigid exercise. Those involved should be prepared to adapt approaches to accommodate emerging issues and the views of those concerned. A PRA exercise must be properly planned, implemented and evaluated if its results are to guide research and development