A comparative analysis of RIPAT and other selected participatory rural development approaches used in Tanzania
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Ltd
Abstract
Influenced by the African socialism philosophy of the late Julius Nyerere
and the participant research practices of Marja Liisa Swantz, Tanzania
is one of the pioneers of participatory action research in the world.
Within the mentioned milieu, participatory approaches have become
widespread. The approaches are geared at enabling rural communities
to address their challenges through participatory approaches. This book
chapter focuses on a comparative analysis of locally improved rural
development approaches that have been developed and improved in
the Tanzanian context. Using primary and secondary data from some
Tanzanian rural interventions by Uluguru Mountains Agricultural
Development Project (process approach) and World Vision Tanzania
(ADP approach), the chapter focuses on a comparative analysis of the
mentioned strategies and RIPAT (Rural Initiatives for Participatory
Agricultural Transformation) to shed some light on rural development efforts in the Tanzanian context. The process approach involves
participatory endogenous processes of development that start with
the recognition of the local capacities of the people. TI1e ADP (Area
Development Programmes) approach is a participatory approach
that seeks to induce communities with capabilities to undertake
appropriate actions to accomplish economic and social progress. More
recently, World Vision Tanzania (WVT) reframed the acronym ADP
by calling it Tanzania Empowerment ADP Model (TEAM). RIPAT is a
participatory extension approach that transfers a 'basket' of agricultural
technology options, including various crops and livestock, to groups of
25 to 30 smallholder farmers in a way that allows for joint, experiential,
and participatory
learning. In 2017 Research, Community and
Organisational Development Associates (RECODA) entered a two year
contract with WVT of co-owning the approach; the agreement ended in
2019. The engagement allowed World Vision Tanzania to use the RIPAT
approach in ADPs. All in all, some literature suggests that participatory
approaches fail to empower people in real life situation. In this regard
and drawing from the participatory theory and practice, the chapter
assesses the sustainability of the approaches.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
PAR, Development, Rural, Sustainability, Tanzania, Africa