Rapid Agrobiodiversity Appraisal (RABA) - Are you looking for one ...

16
Rapid Agrobiodiversity Appraisal (RABA)
in the Context of Environmental Service Rewards
2.4. Step 4: Stakeholder analysis (H, S and S )
bi bo
Stakeholder analysis is done to identify people or institutions that have vested interests in resource management in
the selected area. Stakeholders are defined as people, groups or institutions that are likely to be affected, either
positively or negatively, by a proposed intervention, or those who can affect the outcome of the intervention.
Conducting a stakeholder analysis would allow users to design future activities, especially in respect to what and who
should be taken into account in agrobiodiversity conservation initiatives.
Given time limitations and the wide variety of people and institutions to be dealt with, the best way to conduct
stakeholder analysis is by combining secondary data with appropriate forms of participation by informal (customary)
institutions and key stakeholder groups. This may include other interest groups (such as universities, research
centres), as well as other development-related agencies that serve as sources of secondary information. Additionally,
reflection upon and exploration of the knowledge and perspectives of stakeholders about the potential area, as well
as their direct interests are to be solicited during the analysis.
There are many ways to conduct a stakeholder analysis, but one of the most practical was developed by Rietberger-
McCracken and Narayan (1998). They summarized stakeholder analysis as a four-step process; identifying key
stakeholders, assessing stakeholders' interests and potential impact, assessing influence and importance, and outlining a
strategy for stakeholder participation. Further elaboration of stakeholder analysis is given in Annex 7.
2.4.1 Mapping the stakeholders
When tackling issues of poverty and environmental degradation, power relations and conflicting interests must be
addressed. A stakeholder analysis provides a starting point, by establishing which groups to work with and setting out
the appropriate approach. In order to obtain indications on the potential issues, once the initial stage of stakeholder
analysis is completed, the interests of and interactions among the different stakeholder groups can be explored. The
interactions among stakeholders – past, present and, most importantly, the future – with respect to natural-resource
management and development of agrobiodiversity conservation are explored and summarized in terms of conflict,
trade-offs and correspondence. Understanding these conditions will help to encourage stakeholders to see the value
of agrobiodiversity conservation and to better manage the process. The outcome of this process is important for
assessing the need for additional data collection (research), whether it is biodiversity-related data, socioeconomic
data, local ecological knowledge or institution and policy related.
2.5. Step 5: Future scenario - Taking into account local knowledge (N, H, S , S )
bo bi
Following the stakeholder analysis is the step of obtaining perspectives of the identified stakeholders on their future
expectations of economic, social and biodiversity conditions. This is done by conducting an assessment of society,
both as individuals and as groups, and of government, with regard to landscape and land uses.
RAPID AGROBIODIVERSITY APPRAISAL (RABA)