SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROGRAMME INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.pdf

Established in 1971, the International Institute for Environment and Development (TIED) is a policy research institute linking environmental concerns with the developments needs of resource-poor people in the South and with other global environment and development priorities. The Institute's Sustainable Agriculture Programme promotes and supports the development of socially and environmentally aware agriculture through research, training, advocacy, networking and information dissemination. Emphasising close collaboration and consultation with a wide array of institutions in the South, research projects are aimed at identifying the constraints and potentials of the livelihood strategies of those in the Third World who are affected by ecological, economic and social change. THE RRA NOTES SERIES The principal aim of this series is to enable practitioners of RRA and PRA throughout the world to share their field experiences and methodological innovations. Articles are published on any topic related to Rapid Rural Appraisal, and topics are diverse, detailing field and training experiences with the rapidly evolving methods of Participatory Rural Appraisal. The terms PRA and RRA encompass a wide range of approaches with strong conceptual and methodological similarities. These include Participatory Learning Methods (PALM), Agroecosystem Analysis (AEA), Farming Systems Research, Rapid Assessment Procedures (RAP), Participatory Action Research (PAR), Rapid Rural Systems Analysis (RRSA), Methode Acceleree de Recherche Participative (MARP) and many others. The series is to be kept informal. This is intentional, so as to avoid the commonly encountered delays between practice and the sharing of knowledge through publication. We would therefore like to hear of recent experiences and current thinking. In particular, we are seeking short and honest accounts of experiences in the field or workshops; what worked and what did not; dilemmas and successes. They should be legible with clear drawings. In addition, please send details of any training manuals, papers, reports or articles which will be listed. (For more detailed information please see 'Guidelines for Authors' at the end of this issue). The RRA Notes series is currently funded by the SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY and the FORD FOUNDATION. This special issue has been supported by additional funding from the INTERMEDIATE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT GROUP, OXFAM (UK) and VETAID. Current issues are distributed free of charge to 2500 individuals and institutions in 100 countries. Backcopies are also made available, but in view of the demand for an ever lengthening list of these, it is now necessary to recoup administrative and reprinting costs by charging for backcopies. (See Contents of RRA Notes Backcopies and the Order Form at the end of this issue for further details).