Tropentag, September 19 - 21, 2012 in Göttingen "Resilience of agricultural systems against crises"

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation as a Learning Tool: The Case of Agro-Pastoralists Testing Livestock Production Options to Enhance their Livelihood

German Institute of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (DITSL), Germany

Abstract

Increasing climate variability affects crop and livestock production and therefore the livelihood of resource-dependent communities such as agro-pastoralists producing in drought-prone areas of Gaza province in southern Mozambique.
Adaptation involves a process of learning and development. Learning by experience follows cycles of action–reflection where new knowledge is created and can be enhanced by introducing a structured monitoring and evaluation activity. Learning as a process of iterative reflection includes single-loop (correcting errors form routines), double-loop (innovations to find new solutions), and triple-loop learning (designing new governance norms and protocols).
This research examines how a Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation system (PM&E) stimulated learning in two community based organisations (CBO) that tested a number of livestock production options for their suitability as livelihood strategies. Since most of CBO members are illiterate, a PM&E was developed that could be handled by them.
Semi-structured interviews (n=21) and focus groups (n=6) with CBO members were conducted to assess the type of learning occurring (single-, double- and triple-loop learning) after the development and implementation of a PM&E, and its role in enhancing livelihood strategies.
The results reveal that the PM&E system permitted the group members to learn from: (1) the community-based activities, as their outcome became more visible and could be easily communicated, allowing the identification of possible improvement options (second-loop learning); (2) the implementation of the PM&E process, which enhanced and fortified members' skills to plan, implement, and follow a PM&E system (single-loop learning); and to learn about (3) the relevance of collective action (single-loop learning) and a change in the CBO governance to plan and implement collective action (triple-loop learning); (4) the importance of transparency and accountability (single-loop learning) in collective action initiatives.
The PM&E system promoted learning among and empowerment of the CBO members, which in turn created opportunities for consensus building, collective decision-making and action. It introduced a motivational aspect that acted as a positive feedback, and supported moving from single to double and triple-loop learning, which facilitates the implementation of innovative approaches, and showed to be effective when dealing with uncertainty.

Keywords: Agro-pastoralists, learning, livelihood, livestock production, monitoring and evaluation

Contact Address: Maria Restrepo, German Institute of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (DITSL), Mühlengraben, 24768 Rendsburg, Germany, e-mail: majorestregmail.com