Diagnostic Surveys and Management Information Systems in Agroforestry Project Implementation

Résumé du livre

A diagnostic survey was used to develop the agroforestry extension strategy of the CARE Gituza Forestry Project in Rwanda. In addition to providing valuable information about the pre-project state of farming systems and land-use, the survey identified the local issues around which the extension program was constructed and periodically monitored. Based on the survey results, an information management system for project monitoring was developed, which supplied critical information about the extension service's ability to respond, in a sustainable way, to farmer-identified needs and interests. The findings of the diagnostic and follow-up surveys were thus translated directly into agroforestry extension training as well as day-to-day management decisions. Preliminary evidence gained from one year's use of the monitoring system suggests that the project has a significant and positive impact on farming practices and that the described methodology is a practical way of assuring continuous participation from the project beneficiaries.