Researchers introducing the procedure of the venn diagram to local participants of the MARP study. (Jutta Hammer)

Rapid and Participatory Rural Appraisal Study (MARP) (Madagascar)

Etude de Méthode Accélérée de Recherche Participative (MARP) (French)

Description

The MARP approach, as reported here from Madagascar, is a participatory, but rapid, interdisciplinary assessment of local perspectives on livelihoods and natural resources use.

Aims / objectives: ‘MARP’ is a methodology for assessing local situations that is both participatory and rapid. It was used during the initial stage of a six-year research project (2011-2016) on sustainable land management (SLM) in Madagascar conducted by a consortium of German and Malagasy universities in collaboration with a NGO. The aim of the MARP study was to facilitate the local population to express their perspectives on local livelihoods and natural resource use. The approach sought to integrate local voices into project planning. Specific objectives were (a) to build a link between German and Malagasy researchers from different disciplines, (b) to train them in the MARP methodology, (c) to understand the broad outlines of subsistence strategies, and (d) to explore the diversity of social and environmental situations in the Mahafa-ly Plateau region.

Methods: The MARP methodology facilitated an exchange between the local population (in-cluding land users and village representatives) and researchers about selected themes. Participants were invited to express themselves about their lives, social and ecological conditions and their use of natural resources. Four villages were chosen for the study, two at the coast and two on the plateau. The researchers were divided into two groups. Each group was accompanied by a facilitator and translators and each collected data in one village at the coast and one village on the plateau. Differ-ent techniques were applied to gather the information including semi-structured interviews, social maps, calendars (demonstrating cropping systems and historic developments etc), venn diagrams, and transect walks. In group discussions among researchers, information was triangulated and validated. After assessing a village, researchers called its villagers for feedback and discussion about the collected data. In this meeting the researchers presented a summary of results on local livelihoods, cropping systems and socio-cultural events, to discuss how accurate they were.

Stages of implementation: The MARP study was developed and carried out by researchers from various disci-plines including agriculture, livestock farming, silviculture, economics and human geography. It was divided into four phases, (1) an introductory workshop and tech-nical training, (2) data collection, (3) data analysis, and (4) a final workshop. In phase (1) two external experts in the MARP techniques introduced these to the par-ticipating Malagasy and German researchers in a four-day workshop. Phase (2) and (3) were implemented in the study region over a four-week period. In phase (4) the MARP study closed with a final workshop in the regional capital Tuléar, where re-sults were discussed with regional stakeholders.

Role of stakeholders: The local population played a particularly important role in the MARP study through providing key information about livelihoods and natural resource use etc. People from different clans and lineages, social status and both men and women were stra-tegically included. The MARP study group comprised 27 people who participated in the assessment: they included researchers, facilitators, socio-organizers, and trans-lators. Researchers had to develop contact with the local population, to learn from their insights, to collect and analyse data and to discuss the results with them. The facilitators’ role was to give directions to the teams during the study process. Social organizers dealt with equipment and accommodation, and translators accompanied non-native researchers during the information-gathering process.

Lieu

Lieu: Beheloke-Atsimo, Mahafaly Plateau, south-western Madagascar, Madagascar

Géo-référence des sites sélectionnés
  • 43.70012, -24.06151

Date de démarrage: 2011

Année de fin de l'Approche: 2016

Type d'Approche
Researchers introducing the procedure of the venn diagram to local participants of the MARP study. (Jutta Hammer)
participant of the MARP study shows with beans on a map the historic development of the region (Jutta Hammer)

Objectifs de l'approche et environnement favorable

Principaux objectifs de l'Approche
The Approach focused mainly on other activities than SLM (stakeholder participation, inter- and transdisciplinary research, community involvement)

The aim of the MARP study was to start dialogue between the local population and researchers about: subsistence strategies in agriculture and livestock keeping, natural resources use, the socio-cultural context and the local economy. Another aim was to provide information on community perspectives for the research project planning process and to start interdisciplinary exchange.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: Lack of dialogue between researchers and local population, researchers’ lack of knowledge of specific insights into community life, researchers’ lack of knowledge about stakeholder participation
Conditions favorisant la mise en oeuvre de la/(des) Technologie(s) appliquée(s) sous l'Approche
Conditions entravant la mise en oeuvre de la/(des) Technologie(s) appliquée(s) sous l'Approche
  • Normes et valeurs sociales/ culturelles/ religieuses : The cultural differences between international/ na-tional researchers and local population proved to be a challenge for the implementation of the MARP study (Malagasy researchers participating in the process mainly originated from a different region in Madagascar). Treatment through the SLM Approach: Awareness-raising among the researchers to adapt to local cultural norms and engagement of personnel from the region to support the communication process.
  • Cadre institutionnel: Researchers were not familiar with the MARP methodology and the regional context. Treatment through the SLM Approach: Offering an introductory workshop at the begin-ning of the MARP study and supporting the learning-by-doing process by facilitators.
  • Connaissances sur la GDT, accès aux supports techniques: Lack of water and electricity in the field. Treatment through the SLM Approach: Organization of enough water, organization of generators, adaptation to conditions by not using computers, but reporting through handwritten notes.
  • Charge de travail, disponibilité de la main-d'œuvre: Need of researchers to adapt to local/regional con-ditions, to learn a new methodology and to collect viable information all at once; demand on the local population to spend time and effort on communica-tion and knowledge exchange. Treatment through the SLM Approach: Scheduling enough time for the study and offer also leisure time for all participants.

Participation et rôles des parties prenantes impliquées dans l'Approche

Parties prenantes impliquées dans l'Approche et rôles
Quels acteurs/ organismes d'exécution ont été impliqués dans l'Approche? Spécifiez les parties prenantes Décrivez le rôle des parties prenantes
exploitants locaux des terres / communautés locales More men participated in group meetings, according to local customs men dominate village meetings, women do not have the right to speak, however, it was sought to also involve women in the study through approaching groups of women in the villages. People from different lineages, status and age were deliberately involved
ONG WWF, Madagascar National Parks
gouvernement local village representatives
gouvernement national (planificateurs, décideurs)
organisation internationale international research consortium
Organisme chef de file
National specialists provided relevant information for the on site implementation of the study; international specialists designed the approach; land users provided relevant information for the on site implementation of the study.
Participation des exploitants locaux des terres/ communautés locales aux différentes phases de l'Approche
aucun
passive
soutien extérieur
interactive
auto-mobilisation
initiation/ motivation
x
planification
x
local decision-makers were involved in the planning process; they took decisions about the study procedure and payment.
mise en œuvre
x
various persons from the local communities; information exchange and provision of local insights.
suivi/ évaluation
x
Various persons from the local communities were involved in monitoring of the results; feedback and discussion.
Research
x
Diagramme/ organigramme

Flow chart shows the MARP study procedure exemplified by the first village.
Right after the introductory workshop and technical training the MARP team went off into the field. It spent six days in the first village starting with an introduction followed by a structured guidance through the MARP exercis-es and reflection on gathered information. The MARP study process in the first village closed with a final meeting of villagers and the MARP team in order to discuss the outcome. Subse-quently the MARP team moved to another place for data analysis and reporting before prepar-ing the stay in the second village.

Auteur : Nadine Fritz-Vietta
Prises de décision pour la sélection de la Technologie de GDT

Les décisions ont été prises par

  • les exploitants des terres seuls (auto-initiative)
  • principalement les exploitants des terres soutenus par des spécialistes de la GDT
  • tous les acteurs concernés dans le cadre d'une approche participative
  • principalement les spécialistes de la GDT, après consultation des exploitants des terres
  • les spécialistes de la GDT seuls
  • les responsables politiques/ dirigeants

Les décisions ont été prises sur la base de

  • l'évaluation de connaissances bien documentées en matière de GDT (prises de décision fondées sur des preuves tangibles)?
  • les résultats de recherches?
  • expériences et opinions personnelles (non documentées)

Soutien technique, renforcement des capacités et gestion des connaissances

Les activités ou services suivants ont fait partie de l'approche
Renforcement des capacités/ formation
La formation a été dispensée aux parties prenantes suivantes
  • exploitants des terres
  • personnels/ conseillers de terrain
  • researchers
Formats de la formation
  • sur le tas
  • entre agriculteurs (d'exploitants à exploitants)
  • zones de démonstration
  • réunions publiques
  • cours
Sujets abordés

Rapid and Participatory Rural Appraisal Methodology in the field of local livelihoods and natural resource use for researchers; local population was provided with awareness raising about the research project and the way how to participate in the research process

Service de conseils
Le service de conseils était fourni
  • dans les champs des exploitants?
  • dans des centres permanents
Name of method used for advisory service: Rapid and participatory rural appraisal (MARP); Key elements: Applying a multitude of visual and verbal appraisal techniques, Triangulation of information to guarantee validity, Starting dialogue, communication and discussion concerning local livelihoods

Land conservation activities were not part of the MARP study
Suivi et évaluation
socio-cultural aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations; indicators: data on history and socio-cultural aspects in natural resource use socio-cultural aspects were regular monitored by project staff through measurements; indicators: data from venn-diagram economic / production aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations; indicators: data on local livelihoods and subsistence economy economic / production aspects were regular monitored by project staff through measurements; indicators: data from e.g. social mapping and crop calendars no. of land users involved aspects were ad hoc monitored by None through observations; indicators: data on stakeholder participation in conservation activities management of Approach aspects were ad hoc monitored by None through observations; indicators: data for project evaluation There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Based on the data in the first two villages studied at the coast, other villages were chosen for the second set on the plateau; this was a result of social and economic interdependencies between coastal and plateau villages; furthermore, the set of applied tech-niques and the questions posed in the semi-structured interviews were adapted.
Recherche
La recherche a traité les sujets suivants
  • sociologie
  • économie/ marketing
  • écologie
  • technologie
  • natural resources use

The aim was to gain a collective picture about local livelihoods, subsistence economy, and natural resources use.

Research was carried out on-farm

Financement et soutien matériel externe

Budget annuel en dollars US de la composante GDT
  • < 2 000
  • 2 000-10 000
  • 10 000-100 000
  • 100 000-1 000 000
  • > 1 000 000
Precise annual budget: sans objet
Approach costs were met by the following donors: international (German Ministry of Education and Research BMBF): 100.0%
Les services ou mesures incitatives suivantes ont été fournis aux exploitants des terres
  • Soutiens financiers/ matériels fournis aux exploitants des terres
  • Subventions pour des intrants spécifiques
  • Crédits
  • Autres incitations ou instruments
Soutiens financiers/ matériels fournis aux exploitants des terres
en partie financé
entièrement financé
paper boards, markers, generators, computer

x

La main d'oeuvre fournie par les exploitants des terres était

Analyses d'impact et conclusions

Impacts de l'Approche
Non
Oui, un peu
Oui, modérément
Oui, beaucoup
Est-ce que l'Approche a aidé les exploitants des terres à mettre en œuvre et entretenir les Technologies de GDT?

the focus of the MARP study was to gain insights into local people's perceptions regarding livelihoods and natural resource use rather than helping local land users to improve sustainable land management – though improved SLM was the aim of the overall research project to which the study contributed.

x
Est-ce que l'Approche a autonomisé les groupes socialement et économiquement défavorisés?

socially and economically disadvantaged people participated in the MARP study and explained their situation.

x
Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?

x
Principale motivation des exploitants des terres pour mettre en oeuvre la GDT
Durabilité des activités de l'Approche
Les exploitants des terres peuvent-ils poursuivre ce qui a été mis en oeuvre par le biais de l'Approche (sans soutien extérieur) ?

Conclusions et enseignements tirés

Points forts: point de vue de l'exploitant des terres
  • From the land users’ point of view the MARP study offered the opportunity to start dialogue with researchers. By participating and responding to researchers’ questions they reflected about own livelihoods and their way of living.
    Local people took the experts role in the study by explaining their perspective on local livelihoods and natural resource use.
    The MARP methodology also facilitated to include everybody who was willing to participate, including illiterate and socially disadvantaged people.
Points forts: point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne-ressource clé
  • A team building process was initiated by the MARP study. A team of interdisciplinary researchers from Madagascar and Germany got together to work on a common goal.
    Communication between disciplines was fostered and team members learned how to overcome cultural differences.
    The MARP team had the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences with the MARP methodology.
    The MARP study facilitated mutual exchange between local people and researchers. By spending time in the field together with local people researchers started dialogue with them and thus gained important insights into local livelihoods and natural resource use.
    With the process of joint reflection on gained insights the researchers had valuable information at hand to design the further research process including interdisciplinary approaches. Participants also benefitted from an improved intercultural understanding.
Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques: point de vue de l'exploitant des terrescomment surmonter
  • Local people were only involved in a late stage of the MARP study’s development process. Although village representatives were consulted before the MARP study implementation, local people only received the information about the study when the study started.
    Local people did not see a direct benefit in participating in the MARP study. They rather noticed that they need to spend valuable hours of work for the study.
    People perceived a sort of disturbance of their village life through a group of foreign people with a different cultural background. In order to prepare local people for the study, the overall research project should be introduced in an early stage.
    Inform about and communicate MARP study objectives, methodologies, visions etc. to target groups early enough and as detailed as possible.
    Local people (not only representatives) should be involved right from the beginning of the conception of the study.
    Compensation could be provided to participants (local people) for hours spent for the study.
    In order to avoid cultural disturbances in the villages and provide for compliance with local norms and rules, researchers should be provided with cultural awareness training.
Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques: point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne-ressource clécomment surmonter
  • In some cases communication barriers (lack of language skills) hindered the process. This was true for communication between local people and researchers but also among German and national/local researchers. Consequently a great number of translators were needed, who increased the number of people participating the MARP study.
    Some researchers were new to the area or even to the country and had to work with a high amount of complex new information, while being required to adapt to local conditions. This led to an overwhelming workload.
    Concerning the MARP study process local people were not always available for enquiry, which was difficult to manage for the MARP team. A session on cultural awareness should be integrated into the introductory workshop.
    The MARP study should be announced early enough to both the researchers so that they can prepare and the local people so that they can plan their availability for the study.

Références

Compilateur
  • Nadine Fritz-Vietta
Editors
Examinateur
  • Fabian Ottiger
  • Deborah Niggli
Date de mise en oeuvre: 19 janvier 2016
Dernière mise à jour: 4 avril 2018
Personnes-ressources
Description complète dans la base de données WOCAT
Données de GDT correspondantes
La documentation a été facilitée par
Institution Projet
Références clés
  • Diagnostic participatif de la gestion des ressource naturelles sur le plateau Mahafaly Commune Rurale de Beheloka – Toliara, SuLaMa, 2011Summary MARP survey, SuLaMa, 2012Freudenberger, K. (1999). Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) - A manual for CRS field workers and partners: www.sulama.de
  • Summary MARP survey, SuLaMa, 2012: www.sulama.de
  • Freudenberger, K. (1999). Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) - A manual for CRS field workers and partners: Baltimore, Maryland
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