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

28 Chapter 4. Planning of PRDAlooking at it from different angles. Shortage of water may be caused by bothtechnical problems and poor organization of water distribution.Working with people from different organizations may provide farmers with abroader range of support for implementing an action plan. It may also stimulateteam members to look at the shortcomings of their own organization.There should be sufficient team members with previous experience of PRA workso that they can coach the others when working in pairs during field work (Box 4).Budget and other resourcesA PRDA can cost very little. The main costs are staff time, per diem, transportand some money for stationery. It can therefore be done as part of the “normal”extension job.Selecting information sourcesWould the information be “nice to know”, or do we “need to know”? Thetemptation to collect data merely for the sake of it (or because ‘it might beuseful some day’) should be resisted. If there is a serious doubt as to whetheran item should be collected, the general rule is to leave it out.The following information sources are often used• farmers;• farmers with a special position in the WUA or Cooperative;Box 4. Key Principles of PRDAParticipation: farmers and the PRDA team work together to collect andanalyse data. Information should be shared with farmers.Flexibility: selection of tools and planning may be adjusted accordingto findings and work schedule of farmers.Teamwork: farmers and outside experts, men and women, mixture ofdisciplines.Optimal ignorance: cost and time efficient.Systematic: trying to get a complete picture of important topics, crosscheckingwhat is said.