THE CONTRIBUTION OF RAPID RURAL APPRAISALS IN THE PLANNING OF ON-FARMRESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

A case study of the application of rapid rural appraisals (RRAs) in an agricultural development programme (ADP) implemented in the North-Wes t Frontier Province of Pakistan illustrates that RRAs ai e an effectiv e method for generating priorities for on-farm research and extension in a relatively short period of time. The extent to which RRAs success fully contribute to these objectives is influenced by a number of fact ors related to either how their findings are applied or the way RRAs a re executed. The existence of a feed-back mechanism, the use of follow -up formal surveys with a narrow focus for extended diagnosis, and the use of RRA findings as proposals in a joint planning process help ens ure that priorities for on-farm research and extension are set correct ly. The use of an analytical framework as part of the RRA methodology (consisting of a formal method for ranking problems through the constr uction of problem-cause-effect diagrams based on elements of goal orie nted project panning, GOPP) further enhances the effectiveness of RRAs . Moreover, the regular execution of RRAs gradually creates an experie nced RRA team within one ADP. Such a team serves as a 'core' for all R RA activities and facilitates the execution of an RRA as a multi-disci plinary exercise.