Participatory Rural Appraisal : Tools and Techniques for Need Assessment

Contents: Preface. 1. Participatory rural appraisal-origin and concept. 2. Social survey. 3. Participatory technology development. 4. Foundation of PRA. 5. Semi-structured interview-village profiling and transect walk 6. Participatory sketch mapping. 7. Participatory diagrams. 8. Ranking methods in PRA. 9. Time related analysis. 10. Indigenous traditional knowledge. 11. Cause and effect analysis. 12. Writing and presenting the report. 13. Case studies-Tilakpur, Uttarpradesh. 14. Case studies-Digbak Village, Upper Subanasiri District, Arunachal Pradesh. 15. Stakeholder analysis. 16. Participatory learning action. 17. Participatory monitoring and evaluation. 18. New dimension in participatory approaches. 19. Advanced sampling tools and techniques. Acronyms. Subject Index.

Social surveys have been used widely for identifying the problems, resources, prospects in particular locality. The social survey usually is participatory process, the success of which depends on the participation of the people and the extension personnel in entire activities. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) provides a cost effective and efficient method that reflects the local perceptions of disability and involves local people. These factors are important for sustainability in resource poor countries. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) is a family of methods that enables communities to share and enhance their experience and to plan and act together with external service providers to enrich their lives. This book introduces PRA, and illustrates some of its advantages. In this book we tried to throw light on social surveys, the way it works and their merits and demerits besides whey the social scientist and the extension personnel would like to go for PRA approach. We compiled different methods and participatory techniques which help to identify needs of the people, their available resources and how we can motivate the people to solve their problem by using their own resources and help for their community development. We incorporated some new sophisticated techniques and methods, which are suitable in he coming years. We hope this book will be the asset for scientist, extension professional, KVK’s personnel and all other people who are working in the field level. In addition, it helps and guide them how to work in the rural area, the way to assess the actual needs with their own participatory efforts.