Farmer weeding using a rotative weeder (PSSDRI)

Participatory Learning and Action Research approach to Integrated Rice Management (Madagascar)

Descripción

The Participatory Learning and Action Research approach to Integrated Rice Management (PLAR-IRM) is a bottom-up, social and experiential learning approach, leading to sustainable agricultural improvements, based on mutual support and communication among farmers.

Aims / objectives: Innovation and agricultural change is aimed for, through capacity strengthening of all major stakeholders involved in the rice sub-sector. IRM refers to the production system and value chain as a whole. Innovation is not limited to technological change; it also includes time management and the building of social networks and institutions for mutual collaboration between farmers and other stakeholders within the rice value chain. A step-wise, self-discovery learning mode encourages the stakeholders to find solutions for their own site-specific problems. During the first years, groups of 25-30 producers are supported by a programme facilitator who animates the learning and innovation sessions. The main instruments are the learning modules dealing with specific crop management practices, harvest and post-harvest practices (involving processors and entrepreneurs also), as well as the agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions of rice production. The sessions aim to strengthen farmers’ and other rice stakeholders' capacity to observe, analyze, interpret, make decisions, innovate and share knowledge and experiences. PLAR is based on locally relevant knowledge, practices and skills. Exchanges about current practices, and their logic or justification, are the starting point in all modules.

Methods: In a learning-by-doing approach farmers are encouraged to try out any new ideas identified during PLAR sessions on some parts of their fields reserved for new practices (“innovation space”). This allows them to assess the impact of such innovations on their rice yield, or on the profitability of rice growing and the rice business as a whole, and consequently to adapt and fine-tune the measures taken according to their needs. These innovation spaces are regularly visited as part of learning sessions for knowledge sharing between farmers. Since 2005, innovations in land preparation, early transplanting of seedlings, weeds and water management - basically without external inputs - have resulted in three times higher yields, benefitting thousands of farmers. Rice value chain activities started in 2008 with a view to empowering farmers' position within the chains and improving the competitiveness. Groups are unifying into PLAR centres with common marketing of rice, and contract input providers and rice processors.

Lugar

Lugar: Sofia Region, Madagascar

Georreferencia de sitios seleccionados
  • 48.16, -15.45

Dato de inicio: n.d.

Año de conclusión: n.d.

Tipo de Enfoque
Farmer weeding using a rotative weeder (PSSDRI)
Transplanting rice in lines using a ‘fomby' (PSSDRI)

Metas del Enfoque y entorno facilitador

Propósitos/ objetivos principales del Enfoque
The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (value chain develop¬ment: collective storage and marketing of rice; contractual arrangements with input providers and rice processors)

Sustainably improving food security, livelihoods and incomes of poor rice farmers by boosting the profitability of rice production and increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of the rice sub-sector; Capacity strengthening of all stake-holders involved in the rice-subsector

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: Low yields in rice production; Most farmers live below subsistence level; Absence of government and NGO support; Limited access to markets, lack of infrastructure
Condiciones que facilitan la implementación de la/s Tecnología/s aplicadas bajo el Enfoque
Condiciones que impiden la implementación de la/s Tecnología/s aplicadas bajo el Enfoque

Participación y roles de las partes interesadas involucradas

Partes interesadas involucradas en el Enfoque y sus roles
¿Qué partes interesadas/ entidades implementadoras estuvieron involucradas en el Enfoque? Especifique las partes interesadas Describa los roles de las partes interesadas
usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales rice farmers marginalised poor rice farmers are targeted
sector privado private service providers (e.g. input suppliers), rice processors and buyers
gobierno local
organización internacional Aga Khan Foundation
Involucramiento de los usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales en las distintas fases del Enfoque
ninguno
pasivo
apoyo externo
interactivo
auto-movilización
iniciación/ motivación
x
planificación
x
implementación
x
monitoreo y evaluación
x
Research
x
Flujograma

La toma de decisiones en la selección de Tecnología MST

Las decisiones fueron tomadas por

  • solamente usuarios de tierras (autoiniciativa)
  • principalmente usuarios de tierras con el apoyo de especialistas MST
  • todos los actores relevantes, como parte de un enfoque participativo
  • principalmente por especialistas MST en consulta con usuarios de tierras
  • solo por especialistas MST
  • por políticos/ líderes

La toma de decisiones se basa en

  • la evaluación de conocimiento MST bien documentado (la toma de decisiones se basa en evidencia)
  • hallazgos de investigaciones
  • la experiencia personal y opiniones (no documentadas)

Apoyo técnico, fortalecimiento institucional y gestión del conocimiento

Las siguientes actividades o servicios fueron parte del enfoque
Construcción de capacidades/ capacitación
Se proporcionó capacitación a las siguientes partes interesadas
  • usuarios de tierras
  • personal de campo/ consejeros
Forma de capacitación
  • en el contexto de trabajo
  • de agricultor a agricultor
  • áreas de demostración
  • reuniones públicas
  • cursos
Temas avanzados

crop management practices, harvest and post-harvest practices (incl. storage, marketing), socio-economic and ecological conditions of rice farming; curriculum based on needs assessment

Servicio de asesoría
Se proporcionó servicio de asesoría
  • en los campos de los usuarios de tierras
  • en centros permanentes
Name of method used for advisory service: modular learning sessions guided by a facilitator, farmer-to-farmer extension; Approach is based on indigenous knowledge
Investigación
La investigación trató los siguientes temas
  • sociología
  • economía/ marketing
  • ecología
  • tecnología

crop management practices

Research was carried out on-farm

Financiamiento y apoyo material externo

Presupuesto anual en dólares americanos para el componente MST
  • < 2,000
  • 2,000-10,000
  • 10,000-100,000
  • 100,000-1,000,000
  • > 1,000,000
Precise annual budget: n.d.
Approach costs were met by the following donors: international: 10.0%; national non-government: 30.0%; private sector: 10.0%; local community / land user(s): 50.0%
Los siguientes servicios o incentivos fueron proporcionados a los usuarios de las tierras
  • Apoyo financiero/material proporcionado a los usuarios de tierras
  • Subsidios para insumos específicos
  • Crédito
  • Otros incentivos o instrumentos
Apoyo financiero/material proporcionado a los usuarios de tierras
parcialmente financiado
totalmente financiado
equipo: herramientas

Two sarcleuses (weeding equipment) per starting group are provided for free and remain property of the group

x

El trabajo de los usuarios de las tierras fue

Crédito

Análisis de impacto y comentarios de conclusión

Impactos del Enfoque
No
Sí, un poco
Sí, moderadamente
Sí, mucho
¿El Enfoque ayudó a los usuarios de tierras a implementar y mantener Tecnologías MST?

yields have increased by > 200% (on innovation spaces)

x
¿El Enfoque empoderó a grupos en desventaja social y económica?

marginalised poor rice farmers are targeted

x
Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?

from 2005-2009 PLAR groups have increased from 6 up to 102, involving 3782 families and extended to 4200 non grouped farmers

x
Motivación principal del usuario de la tierra para implementar MST
Sostenibilidad de las actividades del Enfoque
¿Pueden los usuarios de tierras sostener lo que se implementó mediante el Enfoque (sin apoyo externo)?

In a 2nd phase farmers who are organised in PLAR groups gradually build up the capacity to manage the innovation and mutual learning approach on their own without programme support: Farmers facilitators are trained to take over the lead of PLAR groups with backstopping from programme facilitators.

Conclusiones y lecciones aprendidas

Fortalezas: perspectiva del usuario de tierras
Fortalezas: punto de vista del compilador o de otra persona recurso clave
  • Farmers learn basic principles of rice management and develop their own locally adapted options for improvements; the innovation comes from inside the groups.
  • Farmers build up individual and organisational capacity to find solutions to their problems and build confidence as efficient partners with other value chain actors.
Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos: perspectiva del usuario de tierrascómo sobreponerse
Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos: punto de vista del compilador o de otra persona recurso clavecómo sobreponerse
  • Labour intensive improvements provision of group credit to PLAR group members in collaboration with a local microfinance institution
  • Learning intensive approach, with regular group learning sessions PLAR groups elaborate their own learning programmes and curricula according to their availability and needs

Referencias

Compilador
  • Unknown User
Editors
Revisado por
  • Fabian Ottiger
Fecha de la implementación: 16 de febrero de 2011
Últimas actualización: 17 de julio de 2017
Personas de referencia
Descripción completa en la base de datos de WOCAT
Datos MST vinculados
La documentación fue facilitada por
Institución Proyecto
Referencias claves
  • Defoer T., M. Wopereis, S. Diack, and P. Idinoba. 2008. Apprentissage participatif et recherche action pour la gestion intégrée du riz à Madagascar: Manuel du facilitateur AKF, Genève, Suisse. Defoer T., M. Wopereis, P. Idinoba T. and Kadisha. 2006. Participatory Learning and Action Reseaerch (PLAR) for Integrated Rice Management in inland valleys in sub-saharan Africa: Facilitators’ manual. WARDA- the Africa Rcie Center, Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.:
  • Defoer T., M. Wopereis, P. Idinoba T. and Kadisha. 2006. Participatory Learning and Action Reseaerch (PLAR) for Integrated Rice Management in inland valleys in sub-saharan Africa: Facilitators’ manual. WARDA- the Africa Rcie Center, Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.:
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