PROF. KANGETHE ERASTUS KIAMBI
BVM(University of Nairobi), M.Sc. (Bristol, United Kingdom) and a Ph.D. (University of Nairobi)
P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kabete mobile:+254-722-363873, ekangethe@uonbi.ac.ke
P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kabete mobile:+254-722-363873, ekangethe@uonbi.ac.ke
There is an increasing need to incorporate into agricultural research an element of community participation. Community involvement in the identification of problems and solutions is seen as the key to adoption ands adaptation of new technologies. These two processes have been identified as crucial for sustainable agriculture and hence sustainable rural communities.
A wide gap exists between researchers in the various institutions and the farmer. Yet the latter is the end user of the products thereof. This is an approach to the top-down approach to agricultural extension where extension agents tell farmer's what ought to be done with little regard to the farmers experience and circumstances. Participatory action research (PAR) techniques bridge the gap between the farmer's experiences and the research/extension services. It enables analysis of problem situations and opportunities by farmers and researchers in a participatory and inclusive process. Within the agro-ecosystem health framework PAR is the process that generates a farmer driven demand for research and technology development. This paper describes how PAR is being used in an integrated assessment of agricultural communities in Kiambu agro-ecosystem.
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