Assessment of the needs and opportunities in post-harvest systems of non-grain starch staple food crops

摘要

This manual provides information on methods which can be used for assessing needs and opportunities related primarily to non-grain starch staple (NGSS) post-harvest systems. Between 1993 and 1995, case studies were carried out in Tanzania and Ghana to validate these methods. The results and experience derived from the studies were used as a basis for national and regional training workshops organized by the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) in collaboration with the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) in March 1994, and the Post-Harvest Development Unit (PHDU) of the Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture in February 1995. The preparation of this document forms part of the ODA-funded project entitled 'Transfer of needs assessment methodologies and post-harvest technologies for non-grain starch staple food crops in sub-Saharan Africa'. The information provided in the manual focuses on the rationale and principles of using a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach to needs assessment, describes tools and techniques for rapid, cost-effective information gathering, and examines the methodological issues associated with the planning and implementation of a PRA survey. Owing to the strong market orientation of NGSS crops in many parts of Africa, Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) techniques are also introduced. In addition to the case studies carried out in Tanzania and Ghana, the manual draws on a number of references. These will be indicated sparingly because of the nature of the manual. However, the following were used extensively: Gilling and Cropley (1993) in the section on practical issues, Holtzman et al. (1993) in the section on Rapid Market Appraisal, and Theis and Grady (1991) in the section on tools and techniques. Other references were used to a lesser extent. Appendix 1 provides a list of references and selected reading which may be useful when carrying out NGSS needs assessment surveys. The purpose of this document is to provide a guide for researchers, scientists, extension officers and other practitioners working on NGSS food crops, particularly post-harvest aspects. Although it may also be used for other rural development projects, the emphasis is on how to assess the post-harvest needs of NGSS food crop systems. The first section provides some background information on informal survey methodologies such as Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), PRA and RMA. The practical aspects of planning and conducting a needs assessment survey are then examined before discussing the use of specific tools and techniques. The main part of the manual concludes with a discussion of the possible dangers and shortcomings of informal data collection. The Appendices also include checklists for NGSS needs assessment surveys and an overview of key informants who can be used in RMAs.