Using Participatory R&D for Capacity Building in Rural Philippines: Implications for Remote Communities in Australia (abst)

Abstract

Participatory approaches to R&D have commonly been used to improve livelihood systems of rural people. One approach that has been used in the Philippines is a six-step process called Continuous Improvement and Innovation (CI&I). The approach was used to build farmer capacity with a view of improving their knowledge and skills. Researchers worked with farmers in improving farmers' knowledge base in technical and economic aspects of their farming system. With a focus on improving profits, farmers were equipped with a range of tools to enable them to improve their system and to assess possible changes in their system. This paper will describe how CI&I was used in the project, outline some lessons learned and explore the usefulness of this approach in the context of remote communities in Australia.