Participatory action research and quantitative analysis for nutrient management in southern Mali.: a fruitful marriage?

A farmer participatory action research process was developed by the Malian Farming Systems Research team to assist farmers improving the practices of soil fertility management. The process is based on a relatively simple and quick analysis of farm diversity regarding soil fertility management, followed by resource flow models made by test farmers. These models are farmers' major tool to diagnose the way they manage soil fertility, and to plan and evaluate improvements over time. To evaluate the process, an analytical framework has been developed, using the data from the resource dow models. Both management performance indicators based on farmers' perception of good soil fertility management and farm level nutrient flows and partial balances have been monitored. It allowed assessment of differences between farm classes and changes over time, and comparison of farmers' performance with standard references. The results show that resource flow models are an operationally useful tool. They assist farmers in analysing their soil fertility strategies, and in planning step-wise improvements. The visualisation of flows also allows for reliable and complete data collection, because omissions and mistakes are directly visible. Moreover, farmers not only provide information, but actively participate in the analysis itself. Evidence is given that information obtained through quantitative analysis based on data gained from resource flow models can improve knowledge and perception of the major actors involved in the process: researchers and farmers. Examples are given that show that marrying participatory action research and quantitative analysis can lead to planning, experimenting and adapting ways to improve the use of scarce local resources. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.