Convergence of horizontal and vertical experiential sharing through participatory feedback: the case of integrated natural resource management and livelihood improvement in Mwanga District, Tanzania
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Date
2016-07-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Research and Development in Social Sciences (IJRDS)
Abstract
This paper shows how participatory feedback was adopted to converge horizontal and vertical
pathways of experiential sharing encompassing actors and institutions positioned at different points
of a spatial scale in Mwanga district. Participatory and representative governance approaches and
methods were employed to operationalise this convergence. Sector-oriented local actors convened
meetings at their respective villages and drew their perspectives then chose two representatives for
each sector category to represent them during the participatory feedback workshop at Mwanga
district. Local peoples’ political, technical and executive representatives including ward councilors,
ward and village executive officers, and technical facilitators such as ward and village extension
officers as well as district heads of departments and extension officers also participated in the
workshop. The feedback unveiled the existence of poor groups’ organization for beekeeping,
enhanced awareness and knowledge on the role of drought resistant crops such as sorghum, cowpeas,
pigeon peas and sunflower among the farmers; and increased awareness and knowledge on the
imperativity of forage conservation amongst livestock keepers, among others. It is concluded that
participatory feedback is an invaluable tool for converging horizontal and vertical experiential
sharing pathways and coalescing multiple levels and dimensions for improved decision making for
adapting local people to adversities. It is recommended that periodic participatory feedback be
institutionalized in the government development plans to periodically improve experiential sharing
and communication for holistic development.
Description
International Journal of Research and Development in Social Sciences
Keywords
Participatory assessment, Integrated natural resource management, Dryland communities