A Revolution Ulhose Time Has Come? The Win-Win of Quantitative participatory Approaches and Methods

摘要

This article explores the potential presented by quantitative participatory methods (QPMs) and approaches for agricultural monitoring and evaluation and impact assessment. Pioneering examples indicate that QPMs can be 'ujin-uuin', uiith gains to farmers through their ouun analysis, action and voice, and to scientists and other non-farming professionals through the accuracy, relevance, scope and timeliness of the information and insights they generate. To realise their potential requires professional,academic, institutional and personal commitment and change. The Agricultural Learning and Impacts Network (ALINe) seeks to pilot approaches to farmer feedback that put farmers' views at the centre of measurement and create real incentives to responsiveness. Much of the problem is said to be weak monitoring and evaluation and impact assessment (M&E and IA) in agriculture. This article sets out to give sources and review experience with quantitative participatory methods (QPMs) (aka participatory numbers or participatory statistics) and to assess their relevance and potential. It concludes by pointing to ways forward.