RAPID APPRAISAL OF AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

273 Pages·2011·6.33 MB·English

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RAPID APPRAISAL OF
AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
(RAAKS)
AND ITS USE IN
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENTtRESEARCH
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Report on the Training";iWiorkshop
Monique Salomon
and
Stephan Seegers
International Irrigation Management Institute, Pakistan
February 1996
With contributions of
Raza-ur-Rehman Abbasi
Rana Basharat Ali
Munawar Ahmad
Gulrez Akbar
Muhammad Arshad
Azmat Beg
Mehmood ul Hassan
Waqar A. Jehangir
Ineke Kalwij
Gulraiz Khan
Muhammad Rafique Khan
Mushtaq A. Khan
Neeltje Kielen
Cris de Klein
Jan Knops
Derk Kuiper
Zafar Iqbal Mirza
Sajjad Naqvi
Jos van Oostrum
Saeed ur Rehman
Nathalie Roovers
Ali Hassan Shah
Pierre Strosser
Niamat Ullah
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing up this report was like re-living the whole training workshop once again. Again
we met all the people who made this event into one of our most exciting assignments of
1995. We would like to thank all those that made this possible. Through active participa-
tory working we should add. The training workshop was ’constructed’ by all those who
provided their perspective.
We would like to mention some persons specifically.
Pierre Strosser for taking the initiative in trying something new, something complex.
Without his belief in the potential of the RAAKS methodology and the people that work
with it, this training workshop would not have seen the light. We not only enjoyed the
professional support he gave us but especially his and Marcel Kupers’ hospitality and care
while staying at their residence.
In taking up the difficult task of logistics and arrangements we gave thanks on our bare
knees that Cris de Klein was in charge. Though getting up late in the mornings she
managed to make workshop-life easy for all those who participated. We would also like
to thank Mr Saeed Ur Rehman for arranging interviews and for trying so hard to prevent
chaos during the field work.
Thanks to Derk, Jos and Nathalie for taking up the challenge to do RAAKS research in a
’real-life situation’ with many cultural obstacles to take. Thanks for making us learn and
for the delicious pizza.
Humbly we have accepted the defeat by Mushtaq who gave us a heavy beating during the
badminton game. Thanks to Mehmood for the enjoyable tour through the fort and old city
of Lahore and preventing disasters at the hairdresser.
Thanks to Daniyal for his philosophical questions.
Thanks to the members of the Dutch Mission, Mr Ron Havinga and Mr Freek Keppel.
for sharing their ideas and enthusiasm for participatory action research.
Special thanks to the IIMI staff. We have felt very welcome. We very much enjoyed the
lovely food, tea and conversations in cantine and corridors.
Prof Skogerboe, we like to thank him for making the ttaining workshop possible.
28 January 1996
TABLE OF CONTENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
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1.1 Background i
1.2 Report on the RAAKS training workshop 1
PART 2 CONCLUSIONS
2.1 Reflection on the training course: facilitators’ perspective 3
2.1.1 Creating a good atmosphere: collaboration between facilitators 3
2.1.2 The first two RAAKS cycles: learning to swim 3
2.1.3 The final RAAKS cycle: formulating action plans for RAAKS
research 5
2.1.4 Concluding 6
2.2 Reflection based on the facilitators’ terms of reference 6
PART 3 PROGRAM
PART 4 RESULTS
Day I: Sunday, December 10
Activity I. 1 : Introduction Pierre Strosser (IIMf-Pakistan) 16
Activity 1.2: Objectives of the workshop and presentation of the program 17
Activity 1.3: Getting acquainted 18
Activity I .4: Learning objectives 19
Activity 1. 5: Participatory working 20
Activity 1.6: RAAKS: principles and framework 22
Activity I .7: PRA and RAAKS 33
Activity I .8: Wrap up (Evaluation of the day) 35
Day 2: Monday, December 11
Activity 2. I : Review of day I 37
Activity 2.2: The Benin case: introduction arid video 37
Activity 2.3: Exercise phase A: the Benin case 39
Activity 2.4: Presentation phase B: windows nnd tools 42
Activity 2.5: Exercise phase B: the Benin case 45
Activity 2.6: Evaluation of the day 50
Day 3: Tuesday, December 12
Activity 3.1: Inventory of questions about RAAKS 52
Activity 3.2: Presentation of the windows and tools used in phase R:
the Benin case 52
Activity 3.3: Questions on the use of windows and tools of phase R 62
Activity 3.4: Windows phase R: the case of irrigation in Farooqahad 63
Activity 3.5: Presentation of windows and tools in phase C:
the Benin case 64
Activity 3.6: Review of RAAKS workshop 65
Activity 3.7: Presentation of the field work 66
Activity 3.8: Preparations for the field work 67
Activity 3.9: Evaluation of the day 68
FIELD WORK
Day 4: Wednesday, December 13
4.1 Results 69
4.2 Observations and discussions 69
4.3 Evaluation of the day 69
Day 5: Thursday, December 14
5.1 Results 70
5.2 Observations and discussions 70
5.3 Evaluation of the day 71
Day 6: Saturday, December 16
6.1 Results 72
6.2 Observations and discussions 72
6.3 Evaluation of the day 73
Day 7: Sunday, December 17
7.1 Results 74
7.2 Observations and discussions 74
7.3 Evaluation of the day 75
EVALUATION DAY
Day 8: Monday December 18
Activity 8.1: Evaluation of the field work and participatory working 76
Activity 8.2: Evaluation of working with RAAKS 78
Activity 8.3: Evaluation by participants on working with RAAKS within
their own organization 78
ACTION PLANS FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING
Day 9: Tuesday, December 19
Day 10: Wednesday, December 20
Activity 1: Outline for the 2 days of research proposal writing 79
Activity 2: Three components: presentations 81
Activity 3: Formulating action plans for research proposal writing 82
Activity 4: Results 85
Activity 5: Evaluation of day 9 96
Activity 6: Final evaluation of the workshop 97
PART 5 FACILITATION PROCESS
5.1 Creating a learning atmosphere 98
5.2 Facilitating learning by groups 100
5.3 Dealing with problems in analysis 104
PART 6 EXERCISES, CHECKLISTS, ENERGIZERS
6.1 Exercises
Exercise 1 : Getting acquainted 106
Exercise 2 : Expectations of the participants 107
Exercise 3 : Formulating learning objectives 107
Exercise 4 : Participatory working 108
Exercise 5 : RAAKS and PRA 109
Exercise 6 : Evaluation of the day 110
Exercise 7 : RAAKS methodology - phase A 111
Exercise 8 : RAAKS methodology - phase B 112
Exercise 9 : Inventory of questions about RAAKS 114
Exercise 10: RAAKS methodology - windows phase B 114
Exercise 11: Field work preparations 115
Exercise 12: Mapping exercise 116
Exercise 13: Evaluation of the field work 117
Exercise 14: Evaluation working with RAAKS - the RAAKS quiz 118
Exercise 15: SWOT analysis on using RAAKS within own work 120
Exercise 16: Formation of groups for research proposal formulation 121
Exercise 17: Research proposal formulation - phase A 121
Exercise 18: Research proposal formulation - phase C: action plans 122
6.2 Checklists
Checklist 1: Group work 123
Checklist 2: Observation exercise 123
Checklist 3: Group contract (field work) 123
Checklist 4: Interview groups 124
Checklist 5: Observation points for interviews 124
Checklist 6: Field report 125
Checklist 7: Actor workshop 126
Checklist 8: Format for the research proposal 127
Checklist 9: Instrument for action plan 128
6.3 Energizers
The number game 129
Simon says 129
Animal farm 130
Dancing lesson 130
Fruit salad 131
ANNEXES
1 RAAKS in the picture
2 Field report Recky group
3 Field report Food for future group
4 Nominees for awards
5 Discoveries on the farmers’ track. Prints and picture on agricultural
innovation
6 Curriculum vitae Monique Salornon and Stephan Seegers
I Information on the Department of Communication and Innovation Studies
8 Introduction Pierre Strosser (IIMI-Pakistan)
9 Presentation of the field work
10 Three components: Presentations
11 Action Plan IIMI Research Component Decision Support Systems
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PART 1. INTRODUCTlON
PART 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
From Novemher 1994 till July 1995 Anouk Hoeherichts, graduate from the Department of
Communication and Innovation Studies from Wageningen Agricultural University (WAU) has done
research for the lnternational Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) in Lahore, Pakistan. Her
research focused on how farmers perceive the quality of the irrigation services. Participatory Rural
Appraisal (PRA) was used to identify farmers’ performance indicators. Pierre Strosser, initiator of the
research, supervised on IlMl’s part. Monique Salomon supervised on behalf of the Department of
Communication and Innovation Studies of the Wageningen Agricultural University (WAU).
In April 1995 Monique Salomon, Anouk Hoeherichts and Pierre Strosser facilitated a three day
workshop for llMl staff in Pakistan. The results of the PRA research were presented and an
introduction was held to Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (RAAKS) including a
short fieldwork. Main ohjective of this workshop was to sensitize IIMI researchers to participatory
approaches for improving irrigation performance, and identify opportunities of using these approaches
in IIMI’s current and hture research activities.
As a result, opportunities for using RAAKS were identified for three distinct research components of
IIMl’s current research programme, i.e. Decision Support Systems, Water User Associations, and
Watercourse Management. A terms of reference was made hy llMl staff for fiirther collahoration with
the Department of Communication and Innovation Studies. It was decided to launch a research
prngramme to apply RAAKS in 11Ml’s research programme. Tlre Department of Irrigation from
WAU, IIMl’s counterpart in this research programme, would he involved as well.
The research will take place from Novemher 199s to May 1996. including extensive periods of
fieldwork. An interdisciplinary team nf researchers with knowledge of RAAKS has heen formed.
consisting of a cultural anthropologist (Nathalie Roovers). a specialist in tropical animal hushandry
(los van Oostrum) and a hiolngist (Derk Kuiper). Each researcher will work in one of IIMl’s three
research compnnents. They will he part of a RAAKS research group involvinp IlMl staff already
working on these components. The teams will he responsihle for the application of RAAKS in their
research activities.
The research is preceded hy a RAAKS training workshop of ten days for staR of hotli lJMl and other
organizations working in the three research areas. The training workshop is a refresher course for the
researchers. The training workshop will he faciliVeted hy Monique Salomon. staff memher nf the
Department of Communication and Inncivation Studies and Stephaii Seegers, private RAAKS
ccinsultant. Both facilitators are associates of the RAAKS consultants network I’ERSPECTIVES.
t 1.2 Report on the RAAKS Training Workshop
This repnrt is a retlecticin on the results on the RAAKS training workshop held at IlMl Pakistan
heedquarters in Lahore from Decemher 10 to 20, 1995. The authors have written this text with the
intention to make a document that people can use in their work. A document people will consult once
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in a while, something which is practical hut also provides the necessary hindsight to get to grips with
situations. A document that will contribute to the continuous joint learning of facilitators, trainers,
researchers, extensionists who are learning ahout the RAAKS methodology andlor on innovation in
general.
This text is more than 'just' a consultancy report. Not only does it provide results frnm the training
workshop (see Part 3) and an assessment to what extent the terms of reference have heen met (see
Part 2.2). It can also he used as a training manual using the exercises, checklists and energizers
presented in the annexes. It provides learning points and insights in the process of working with and
training in RAAKS (see Part 2. I). For those readers who will facilitate RAAKS (supported) activities
such as training, (action-) research and interventions, this document contains specific information on
facilitating the process of such activities (see Part 4).
There can only he joint learning on RAAKS and the social organisation of innovation if we listen to
each other, if we are open tn cnmments and suggestions. Most participants in the training workshop
have experienced two facilitators who are eager to learn. We would like to invite all readers to enahle
us to continue and provide us with feedhack.
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