Dimensions of Participation:
Experiences, Lessons and Tips from Agricultural Research Practitioners in Sub-Saharan Africa

Alistair Sutherland, Adrienne Martin and David Rider Smith

What are the key issues in farmer participation? What makes a project research team effective? How is wider stakeholder participation fostered and sustained? What are the challenges to institutionalizing participatory research approaches? The answers to such questions provided the motivation for this substantial compilation and analysis of a wealth of practical case studies conducted over a period of more than four years in eight African countries.

This book explores dimensions of practical experiences with participation in agricultural research, through farmer participation, teamwork and engaging with other stakeholders. Its sixteen chapters include practitioners’ candid accounts of their experiences in agricultural research and extension projects in Africa, sharing the difficulties they faced along with the progress they made. The case studies cover many practical aspects of design and implementation that are not covered in the currently available books and manuals on participatory agricultural research. Principles, lessons and tips to facilitate good practice in such research are drawn from these experiences and are highlighted throughout the book.
This publication is intended for all those interested in the practical aspects of agricultural research and development, including practitioners, project managers, development specialists, advisers, donors, academics involved in development teaching and research, and students of agricultural development. Although the case studies are based on project experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa, many of the lessons, strategies and tips will also apply to participatory research for smallholders in other parts of the developing world.

Date: 2001
Publisher: Natural Resources Institute
Format Paperback 297 × 210 mm
Pages: 340
ISBN: 0 85954 539 3

Order from

Practical Action Publishing

Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development

Bourton-on-Dunsmore.

Rugby,

Warwickshire,

CV23 9QZ
publishinginfo@practicalaction.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1926 634501

Fax: +44 (0) 1926 634502