METHODOLOGY

3.1 Training Schedule, Arrangements and Programme Description


Training was carried out over a period of twelve days, with the workshop segment of the training held in the Forest Lodge of Sodhi and the field-based learning in the villages of Ucchali, Uggali and Dhadar. The training involved three stages: (i) introduction to PRA philosophy, concepts, principles and methods, (ii) field work in the village using the methods and developing priorities for wetland management, and presentation of findings in the village meeting, and (iii) report preparation, reflection and evaluation of the workshop.

The workshop segment of the PRA training was carried out in a location somewhat removed from village realities. The participants were housed in the forest lodge as well as in different houses in Sodhi and in another forest department lodge. This meant that much time was spent travelling to and fro, often to the detriment of proper time keeping.There are a number of other issues regarding organisation of the training programmes and the training methodology which indicate scope for improvement. These are described in section 4 of the report.

The materials supplied to the participants included a background paper summarising the management plan proposed for the Ucchali complex and a basic text on PRA methods by Robert Chambers (1992). Other audio visual and written materials(PRA case studies, illustrations of methods etc) were on display and could be borrowed overnight by participants.


Programme Description

Day 1 (10 December 1994)
Arrival of participants and facilitators in the village of Sodhi


Day 2 (11 December)
Paired introductions and two good things (was helpful as a number of participants were meeting each other for the first time).

Objectives of the workshop and the proposed programme
Expectations and suggestions chart
Introduction to the Ucchali complex
Group Discussion on methods used by participants for

- collecting information
- planning
- increasing people' participation

Overview of development and conservation issues in the world
Biases in rural development and normal professionalism
Indigenous knowledge
Philosophy and evolution of PRA
Basic principles of PRA
The importance of behaviour and attitudes
Evaluation of day's programme
Video on MYRADA


Day 3 (12 December)
Neighbourhood mapping by the participants
Analysis of difference exercise
Participatory mapping
Transects
Semi-structured interviews: overview and applications
But why? Exercise on different approaches to interview
Social mapping and Well­being ranking
Matrix ranking and scoring
Video on ICRISAT's participatory research programme


Day 4 (13 December)
Seasonality analysis
Trend analysis
Livelihood analysis
Venn diagraming
System diagrams
Problem solving exercise
Overview of management plan for Ucchali complex
Key issues to look at in the field work and check list
Matching methods to check list and developing sequence of methods for interactions with villagers (field work design)
Team contract, allocation of responsabilities and preparation for stay in villages
Institutional case study based on AKRSP's video on Joint Forest Management


Days 5 and 6 (14, 15 December)
Field work in villages of Uggali, Ucchali and Dhadar


Day 7 (16 December)
Debriefing, information exchange and group presentations
Time for rest and reflection


Days 8 and 9 (17 and 18 December)
Field work in villages
Analysis of information for presentation at village meetings
Wrap­up meeting with the village community, involving presentation of the village findings, soliciting feedback and encouraging discussion within the village community


Day 10 (19 December)
Presentations within groups and at the village level with and by villagers


Day 11 (20 December)
Report writing in groups on process, methods and analysis
Priorities for wetland management plan


Day 12 (21 December 1994)
Reflection on participatory planning process and limitatations of PRA
Implications for project cycle and other issues like village institution development
Village analysts, facilitators and extension volunteers
Discussion on personal and institutional action plans for use of PRA methods in design of wetland management systems
Open house (Questions, doubts, comments...)
Evaluation and feedback
Summing up and thanks to organisers and hosts in Ucchali


Since the PRA methods are later described in terms of the process, lessons learnt and analysis, they are not discussed in detail here.


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