PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL (PRA) 8.

Holistic Perspective: Look at all aspects of

the community-social, economic, cultural,
 A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is an and environmental-to understand the
approach used to incorporate the bigger picture.
knowledge and opinions of rural
9. Learning by Doing: PRA encourages
communities in the planning and
learning during the process through direct
management of development projects.
interaction and observation rather than
 PRA emphasizes local people's participation relying solely on formal reports or studies.
in analyzing their living conditions,
10. Iterative Process: It's okay to revisit and
identifying problems, and planning
revise ideas as new insights emerge. PRA is
solutions in a collaborative manner.
not a one-time activity but a cycle of
learning and improving.
Basic Principles of PRA

1. Participation: Local people actively

PRA Tools
contribute their knowledge, ideas, and
experiences. They are not just consulted -
 PRA tools are simple methods that help
they are co-creators in the process.
people in rural communities work together
2. Respect for Local Knowledge: Recognize to figure out their problems and find
that rural communities have valuable solutions.
insights about their environment,
 These tools are used to get everyone's ideas
challenges, and solutions. Treat their
and opinions, especially from local people
knowledge as equally important as expert
who know the area best.
opinions.
3. Empowerment: The process is designed to Common PRA Tools
build confidence and skills in the
community, helping them take control of 1. Social Mapping: A map drawn by the
their development. community showing the location of
important features like homes, schools,
4. Flexibility: PRA methods are adaptable to
roads, water sources, and markets. Helps
different contexts and cultures. There is no
understand the community's physical
rigid set of rules-it depends on what works
environment and can identify resources,
best for the community.
infrastructure gaps, or areas needing
5. Inclusiveness: Involve all segments of the improvement.
community, including women, children, the
2. Resource Mapping: A map or diagram that
elderly, and marginalized groups, so
illustrates local resources such as forests,
everyone's voice is heard.
rivers, farmland, and grazing areas. Assesses
6. Visualization: Use tools like maps, natural and economic resources available to
diagrams, and charts to make discussions the community, and helps identify how they
more visual and interactive. This makes it are used and managed.
easier for people to express their ideas and
3. Transect Walks: A guided walk through the
for everyone to understand.
community, where participants observe and
7. Facilitation, Not Domination: Outsiders discuss resources, land use, and issues as
guide the process as facilitators, not as they move along a specific path. To
decision-makers. The community leads, and understand the community's environment
the facilitator supports. from different perspectives and gain insights
 that might not be visible from maps or 10. Historical Timelines: A visual
discussions alone. representation that shows key events or
changes over a period of time, such as
4. Seasonal Calendars: A chart that shows the
changes in the climate, community health,
seasonal changes in activities, such as
or local leadership. Helps communities
planting, harvesting, or illnesses, throughout
reflect on past trends, understand how
the year. Helps to identify patterns, such as
things have changed, and plan for the
seasonal labor demands or food shortages,
future.
and the impact of environmental changes
like droughts or floods. 11. Daily Activity Schedules: A chart that
shows the daily or weekly activities of
5. Venn Diagrams: Diagrams that show
different members of the community, such
relationships between different groups or
as men, women, or children. Identifies time
institutions in the community, represented
patterns, labor divisions, and helps find ways
by overlapping circles. Helps identify power
to improve productivity or balance work and
structures, roles, and relationships among
personal life.
various groups (e.g., between farmers,
government organizations, or women's 12. Citizen Scorecards: A tool used to collect
groups). feedback from community members about
the performance of public services or
6. Matrix Ranking: A table or grid where
projects. Helps assess the quality of services,
participants rank or score items (such as
identify gaps, and hold service providers
problems, resources, or priorities) based on
accountable.
importance or value. Helps prioritize issues
or needs and makes it clear which areas the
community finds most urgent or valuable.
Example: A group ranks the major problems
facing the community (e.g., lack of clean
water, poor roads, or health issues) to
decide which to address first.
7. Problem Trees: A diagram that illustrates
the causes and effects of a central problem,
with branches showing related issues and
their impacts. Helps identify the root causes
of problems and understand their wider
impacts on the community.
8. Wealth Ranking: A method where
community members classify households
into different wealth categories (e.g., rich,
middle, poor) based on income, assets, or
other indicators. Identifies social and
economic inequalities in the community and
helps target interventions more effectively.
9. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Small
group discussions on specific topics, with
participants sharing opinions, experiences,
and ideas. To gather in-depth views on
particular issues, such as health practices,
agricultural methods, or local governance.
Development and Management of Cooperatives organizations or receive government
support, they remain autonomous and self-
What is a Cooperative? governed.
7. Education, Training, and
 A cooperative is a group of people who
Information: Cooperatives prioritize
come together to work or do business for
educating members, leaders, and staff to
their shared benefit.
ensure effective participation and
 Instead of being owned by one person or a management. They also inform the public
small group, a cooperative is owned and run about their principles and benefits.
by all its members. Everyone works
8. Cooperation Among
together, makes decisions together, and
Cooperatives: Cooperatives collaborate
shares the profits or benefits fairly.
with other cooperatives at local, national,
and international levels to strengthen the
Characteristics of a Cooperative
movement and share resources.

1. Voluntary and Open 9. Concern for Community: Cooperatives

Membership: Membership is open to work toward the sustainable development
anyone who is willing to join and fulfill the of their communities through social,
responsibilities of membership. There is no environmental, and economic initiatives.
discrimination based on race, gender, social 10. Limited Return on Investment: Any
status, or religion. returns on member capital are typically
2. Democratic Control: Cooperatives operate limited, reflecting the cooperative's focus on
on the principle of "one member, one vote." service rather than profit maximization.
Decision-making is inclusive, ensuring all 11. Legal Identity: A cooperative is a legally
members have an equal say regardless of recognized entity, often governed by
their level of investment. specific cooperative laws in its region or
3. Member-Owned and Member- country.
Controlled: Members collectively own the 12. Flexibility Across Sectors: Cooperatives
cooperative and are directly involved in its operate across various industries, including
governance. They contribute capital and agriculture, retail, finance, housing, and
share responsibility for the organization's more, adapting their structure to meet
performance. sector-specific needs.
4. Profit Sharing (Equitable
Distribution): Profits, often referred to as Factors of a Good Cooperative
surpluses, are distributed among members
in proportion to their participation or 1. Clear Purpose and Goals: A cooperative
contributions. The focus is on fairness rather should have a well-defined mission that
than maximizing profits for a few aligns with the needs of its members. Goals
individuals. must be realistic, measurable, and focused
on serving the collective interest.
5. Mutual Benefit: The cooperative is formed
to serve its members' needs and interests, 2. Membership Participation: Active
whether economic, social, or cultural. It involvement of members in decision-making
operates with the primary goal of improving and operations strengthens the cooperative.
the quality of life for its members. Members should feel ownership and
responsibility for the cooperative's success.
6. Autonomy and Independence: While
cooperatives may collaborate with external 3. Strong Leadership and
Management: Skilled and ethical leaders
 are essential to provide direction and build Developing a Fishery Cooperative
trust. Managers must efficiently oversee
day-to-day operations and finances. Developing fishery cooperatives involves organizing
4. Adherence to Cooperative fishers and other stakeholders in the fisheries sector
Principles: Following the 7 International into a formal group to improve their collective
Cooperative Principles, such as democratic economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
control, voluntary membership, and concern
Assessing the Need and Feasibility
for the community, ensures integrity.
5. Financial Sustainability: Sound financial  Identify Stakeholders: Include fishers, local
practices, including effective budgeting, communities, government bodies, NGOs,
savings, and fair profit distribution, are vital. and market players.
Access to funding and credit ensures the
 Evaluate Fisheries Resources: Assess the
cooperative can grow and weather
state of fish stocks, fishing practices, and
challenges.
environmental conditions.
6. Education and Training: Regular training
 Understand Local Challenges: Identify
helps members and leaders stay informed
problems like low income, lack of access to
about cooperative practices and industry
markets, and unsustainable practices.
trends. It empowers members to make
knowledgeable contributions.  Legal Framework: Research local laws
governing cooperatives and fisheries.
7. Effective Communication: Transparent
communication builds trust and
accountability among members. Regular Community Engagement and Education
meetings, updates, and forums facilitate
engagement.  Awareness Programs: Explain the benefits
8. Commitment to Innovation: Adapting to of cooperatives such as improved
new technologies and market changes bargaining power, shared resources, and
keeps the cooperative relevant. Encouraging market access.
innovation ensures sustainability and  Capacity Building: Train fishers in
competitiveness. cooperative management, sustainable
9. Strong Member Relationships: Building fishing, and record-keeping.
trust and cooperation among members  Stakeholder Meetings: Conduct
creates a sense of community. Resolving discussions to align goals and address
conflicts promptly and fairly is critical for concerns.
cohesion.
10. Social Responsibility: A good cooperative Establishing the Cooperative
contributes positively to the local
community and environment. Ethical  Form a Core Group: Select committed
practices and sustainability should be at the leaders and members who represent the
forefront of its operations. community's interests.
 Develop a Constitution: Create bylaws
outlining governance, membership criteria,
roles, and decision-making processes.
 Register the Cooperative: Legal
registration ensures recognition and access
to financial and technical support.
Building Infrastructure and Resources Networking and Policy Advocacy

 Access to Financing: Seek grants,  Collaborate with Larger Networks: Join

microloans, or partnerships to fund national or international cooperative
equipment, storage facilities, and boats. associations for support and learning.
 Shared Facilities: Establish ice plants, cold  Influence Policies: Advocate for subsidies,
storage, and processing units to enhance infrastructure, and conservation policies
fish quality. favorable to small-scale fishers.
 Technology and Training: Invest in
Conclusion
modern fishing gear and teach sustainable
practices to reduce environmental impact.
In conclusion, cooperatives are unique
organizations driven by values of fairness, equality,
Market Integration and Value Addition
and community support. Unlike traditional
businesses, their primary goal is not profit-making
 Collective Marketing: Negotiate better
but meeting the needs of their members and
prices through group selling.
contributing to the well-being of the community.
 Value-Added Products: Explore processing
options such as smoked or dried fish to
diversify income.
 Certification and Branding: Promote eco-
friendly and certified products to gain
premium market access.

Ensuring Sustainability

 Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implement

quotas, seasonal bans, and gear restrictions
to prevent overfishing.
 Ecosystem Monitoring: Collaborate with
environmental agencies to monitor and
maintain biodiversity.
 Diversified Livelihoods: Encourage
alternative incomes, such as aquaculture or
tourism, to reduce pressure on wild stocks.

Monitoring and Governance

 Regular Audits: Ensure financial

transparency and accountability.
 Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Address
disputes effectively within the cooperative.
 Continuous Training: Keep members
updated on market trends, regulations, and
innovations.