Author : Bounthavy Champa

Summary : The objective of this research was to study concepts, process and methods of a Participatory Extension Approach (PEA) including its strengths, weaknesses, and courses of action to increase the effectiveness in using PEA. The MAnagement of Sloping LAnds for Sustainable Agricultural Development Project in Thailand was selected as a case study. The sample of 62 farmers and 6 government officials who participated in the Project activities in 3 pilot provinces (Nan, Loei, and Phitsanulok) was selected by using purposive sampling. Data were collected by using interview schedules for the farmers and questionnaires for the officials. Frequencies, percentages and means were used for the data analysis. The study revealed that the concepts of the Project were the development of "integrated conservation farming systems" and the "empowerment of farmers and community". The Project process covered 4 phases : (1) preliminary survey and site selection for being pilot conservation farming villages (CFV), (2) preparatory planning to solve land degradation problems due to water erosion, (3) testing soil and water conservation practices in the CFV by farmers, and (4) disseminating appropriate conservation practices to farmers in the same village and neighboring villages for widespread adoption. There were 10 process steps that emphasized farmers' participation as equivalent partners in consultation, decision-making and collective action through the farmer-field-school approach and farmer-to-farmer extension. The farmer groups and farmer networks were established to enhance adoption of conservation practices by farmers based upon self-help and mutual-help principles. It was found that the most number of farmers (75% and above) joined in the stages of situational analysis and problem identification, solution searching, and conducting the on-farm farmer-managed trial in the CFV.