Existing and evolving platform for farmers participatory action research with reference to SRI-

LMB

PRABHAT KUMAR

Regional Review and Planning Workshop02-03 June, 2015

City Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Presentation schemeUnderstanding Participatory Action Research using local innovation platform

How PAR is being implemented in all countries

Is it evolving?

Points for reflections

Take home message

Understanding Participatory Action Research

PAR (Participatory Action Research)

Many divergent views on how PAR fits into agriculture

But broader agreement that

PAR is participatory, inclusive and in essence could act as bridge for a range of stakeholders for a common cause

Action Research is cyclic

The PAR process is characterized by iterative planning-action-reflection cycles (German et al., 2008) that often result in identification of local capacity limitations for which external forms of

support are necessary (e.g. knowledge, technologies and financial resources).

The SRI LMB design therefore recognized such PAR attributes as critical for building adaptive capacity

of farming communities

What is PARPeter Reason and Hilary Bradbury:

“A participatory, democratic process that seeks to bring together action and reflection, theory and practice, in participation with others,

in the pursuit of practical solutions to issues of pressing concern to people in their communities.”

It is a learning process that focuses on

learning by planning, doing, observing and reflecting.

Provides opportunity for developing location specific technological suits using SRI principles

Not Dogmatic rather Pragmatic

(What is possible and what is not??)

Substitution versus complementarity In traditional research, the researcher is an external observer whoproposes theories, while in participatory action research (PAR) the“objects of research”, or the community, are integral parts of theresearch as they generate their own living theory of practice.Participatory action research claims that this methodology “researcheswith, rather than on, people”

In reality both are needed

Complementarity

Local Innovation PlatformsEstablishment of LIPs at provincial level are integral part of SRI LMB with the two broader purpose:

- stimulating learning for innovation, and

- transforming the context so that the gains made from learning can be institutionalized

PAR in SRI LMB Design

PAR in SRI LMBMain vehicle of engagement with rice smallholders

Selected Smart Farmers are trained in a season-long 4 intensive training of trainers in problem identification, prioritization, utilizing problems to develop locally appropriate research protocol or demonstrations, develop objectively verifiable plant growth and development and economical observation points, share the results and ideas with their communities

In reality the FPPARs are being implemented differently in all 4 countries owing to varied capacities and experiences of the project management units and other stakeholders

Schematic Representation

Farmer Participatory Action Research

CFPAR

District

District

District

1st FPAR, 2 FT

2nd FPAR, 2 FT

3rd FPAR, 2 FT

4th FPAR, 2 FT

4th FPAR, 2 FT

1st FPAR, 2 FT

2nd FPAR, 2 FT

3rd FPAR, 2 FT

1st FPAR, 2 FT

2nd FPAR, 2 FT

4th FPAR, 2 FT

3rd FPAR, 2 FT

PAR implementation (First cycle) Thailand Laos Cambodia Vietnam

5-6 meetings need based

Planned to be 5-6 meeting based with some additional learning sessions

13 meetings FFS based

FFS based

Majority of single factor experiments and some full set of SRI

Majority of single factor experiments and some full set of SRI

Lean curricula focusing on project objectives and local needs

Broader curricula included many areas may or may not be relevant for the location

FPAR implementation (first cycle)Thailand Laos Cambodia Vietnam

RCBDexperimental design with 4 replications

CFPAR – RCBD 9n 4 reps

RCBD experimental design with 4 replications

CFPAR – RCBD 9n 4 reps

CFPAR and FPAR organized in diff. time

Same time

Preparatoryactivities undertaken well in advance

Parallel to CFPAR preparatory activities undertaken

Systematicobservation

Need more backstopping

FPAR implementation (first cycle)Thailand Laos Cambodia Vietnam

Staff drop out created confusion among farmers

Lesson from other should be taken into account

Adequate backstopping to CFPAR. Better backstopping needed form PMU to FPARs

Fewer backstopping form PCU to CFPAR

Higher yield andincome observed

FTs and PMU need to take all experience into account on observations

Yield and income increased

Rainfed areas farmers are committed and this year more PAR are being planned

Evolution of the concept

What is evolving

Researcher focused to Need and capacity focused

First cycle FPAR was thoroughly reviewed and changes are planned for second cycle implementation

What is evolvingArea of experiment – from smaller (e.g. 4x4x4 = 64 sq. meter) to 1600 sq meter (to build confidence on results obtained)

The single plot will be considered one replication for detail analysis

For local comparison – observation will be made form nearby field with similar method of plant establishment and variety (agronomic and economic observation)

Simplified and need-based data sheets

Farmers are locally adapting SRI in their own ways (LMU and PMU loosening itself) like Line sowing by Kubota machines in Thailand, developing SRI Organic and SRI GAP

Suggestions for improvementLean and need based learning and research focus

How :

Problem identification and establishment in a village and consensus on it as research issue

Critically evaluating the curricula and weeding out ‘imaginary issues’

Encouraging framers to apply the SRI principle in their own way and at the same time making sure that they understand reasons

Critically evaluating areas where cost-cuts are possible or rationalization of input use is possible e.g. Fertilizer applications

Suggestions for improvementInstitutionalization of the gains made at LIPs

Involvement of other projects, partners, business organizations (marketing)

Enabling policy environment

Integration with local government efforts and work plan alignment

Creating niche for economic sustainability

Inclusive for all women and men farmers

Summary

SummaryAction research started with good beginning and evolving to cater local needs

Continued interest from smallholders in rainfed areas

Continuous review and evolution of action research and stakeholders needed

New and niche product ensuring economic sustainability

Regular communication among various stakeholders to learn and exchange

Active participation and learning sharing and exchange with policy makers for institutionalization of Innovation Platform

Thank you

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