Participatory Learning, Experimentation, Action and Dissemination (PLEAD)

Abstract

The authors evolve a model for technology evolution and adaptation in agriculture through a participatory approach. The model follows the premise that the integration of local knowledge, the experience of farmers and quality assessment of evolved strategies help in developing technologies that promote the long-term sustainability of the system. The premise is tested through field interventions under way in 18 farmer research groups (FRG) formed for the purpose in the two agroclimatic zones of Kerala where rice forms the major crop. The experimentation is carried out in fields of selected promoter farmers from the FRGs, taking into account the existing agro-ecological peculiarities and land-use pattern. Appropriate technologies for the system are selected by the farmers from a basket of scientifically proven options and are integrated to enhance the quality of farmer-tried strategies, without researchers conducting any new experiments. The process has resulted in evolving the participatory learning, experimentation, action and dissemination (PLEAD) model, which allows interactive participation of farmers, thereby enabling them to become decision makers through the process of action–reflection–action (PRAXIS) of successful field trials conducted by them. The key elements of the model include agro-ecosystem scanning, farmer-led experimentation and farmer-to-farmer extension. The processes provide lateral and co-learning experiences that benefit all the participants.