Manual - Participatory rapid diagnosis and action ... - FAO.org

PRDA Manual 21unit of land, meaning more or less intensive use of inputs, i.e. fertilizers,chemicals, improved seeds, etc.Socio-economic environmentFor inputs supply and marketing, farmers have to establish links with inputproviders and tradesmen.Example 2: Interactions between sub-constituents of “Irrigation Scheme”and “Plot Use”Water sourcePlot useVariation of year-round water sources and its reliability influence the choiceof irrigated crops and the cropping calendar.SitePlot useThe type of soil may have a strong influence on the choice of irrigated crops.The distance of the site from farmers’ houses may interact with the constraintsregarding labour and determine who uses the plot - men and /or women, andwaged labour.Layoutplot useChoice of crops, level of intensification (use of inputs, cropping intensity)and yields may differ significantly if there is uneven water access betweenhead and tail plots.PlotPlot useThe size of plot may determine its use in several ways. Farmers may not beinterested in cropping very small plots where production has too little valuefor labour compared to other farming or non-farming activities. Large plotsmay only be fully cultivated by farmers who can afford the required inputsand have access to animal traction or motorization.Poor levelling of plots may lead to poor or time-consuming water applicationat plot level and sometimes abandonment of plots by farmers.It must also be mentioned here that on many schemes all plots are of thesame size and one could conclude quickly (if not stupidly) that all farmersbelong to the same homogeneous group. This assumption may turn out to bewrong and differences between categories of farmers in terms of objectives