 ID : 6344
Ajouté le : 2002-07-23 9:50
Mis à jour le : 2004-08-25 14:22
Refreshed: 2010-02-09 05:02
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| Participatory Impact Evaluation Methodologies for Urban Agriculture (UA) in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Countries |
Project title: Participatory Impact Evaluation Methodologies for Urban Agriculture in Latin America and Caribbean Countries Research area: Urban Agriculture Policy and Processes Research institution: Asociación Recursos para el Desarrollo (REDE) Total cost: 300 000 CAD IDRC contribution: 195 730 CAD Local contribution: 65 000 CAD Other donors: Centro de Promoción y Estudios en Nutrición (13 590 CAD); Asociación para la Investigación y Desarrollo integral (13 590 CAD); Instituto de Estudios Socioeconómicos y Fomento del Desarrollo (13 590 CAD) Centre file no.: 004486 Duration: 1999-2001 AbstractBetween 1995 and 1997, IDRC's Cities Feeding People (CFP) supported a series of projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Some of these projects were undertaken jointly in different countries and each comprised its own methodology and implementing institution. Thus far, there had not been any collective research project in the region and overall reviews of the activities previously carried out by the various agencies in their respective countries were still unavailable.This project enabled three of such implementing agencies to pool their expertise and carry out a common research agenda: to design, test, illustrate and implement a methodology for the participatory evaluation of UA. The project originates from consultations for the identification of new research priorities led by the Executive Secretariat of the Latin American Urban Agriculture Research Network (AGUILA). Participating cities were Lima, Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires. The project was led by REDE-Peru.The project focused on interventions in urban food production led by public/private organisations and institutions. The main output of this project was a participatory methodology to evaluate the impact of UA interventions. This has been consolidated into a manual intended for NGOs and other groups interested in assessing their own interventions in UA. General objective: To design and apply a methodology for measuring and evaluating urban agriculture interventions in selected countries of Latin America with special attention paid to the impact of these interventions on urban poverty alleviation. Specific objectives To survey the extent and significance of agricultural activities in urban areas.To measure and evaluate the impact of UA on: local income, employment and community development, food security, nutrition and the urban environment in selected LAC cities.To increase awareness among local and national policy makers, town planners, research institutes and NGOs on UA as a component of urban development and resource management strategies.To strengthen interaction between members of the AGUILA Network and other stakeholders in UA with participating countries, by encouraging joint initiatives, documenting research results and stimulating information exchange.To expand and enrich the database of AGUILA Network, through the production and dissemination of technical documents.To produce and test a methodological protocol for the systematic measurement and participatory evaluation of impacts of UA interventions in the region.To expand corresponding expertise available in participating countries.Project findings In Lima, the majority of institutions involved in UA are NGOs.In Buenos Aires, government organizations dominate as strongly as NGOS. In Buenos Aires, various levels of governments and different sectoral administrations intervene in UA, largely under the umbrella of a national program (PRO HUERTA); most interventions provide services rather than direct support to production, generally at the community level.In both Lima and Buenos Aires, nearly half of the interventions cater to at least 50 families each.In Buenos Aires, most interventions are fairly recent (max. 5 years), prioritize organic farming (mainly horticulture and medicinal plants) and provide little support to animal husbandry. In both Lima and Buenos Aires, savings on food expenses are considered the most prevalent benefit to families, achieved primarily through the home production of basic foods.In Lima, income and employment generation was quoted more often (80%) as a positive impact than in Buenos Aires (14%-33%).Pest control is cited more widely as environmental improvement in Buenos Aires.Green area extension is greater in Lima than in Buenos Aires.Improvements in women’s conditions are claimed in a much higher percentage of interventions than in Buenos Aires.Selected outputs Three directories of organisations and institutions working on UA in the 3 selected cities (Lima Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires).Methodological package for the implementation, diagnosis and mapping of UA that includes 3 methodological tool guides (interview with key informants, participatory evaluation workshop guide and socio-economic surveys).Evaluation methodology that includes a guide for UA interventions. The methodology focuses on poverty, gender, technology, and geographic location aspects and includes tools and tool guides such as key informant interviews, participatory survey and workshops.Three diagnostic studies that include mapping of UA interventions in Lima (Peru), Santiago (Chile) and Buenos Aires (Argentina).Dissemination of the Project through REDE’s participation in the “National Forum on Food Security” held in Lima in March 2000. Project results were presented to more than 30 local public and private organisations.Co-ordination meetings with the Central American Network REDCAHOR and EARTH University (Costa Rica), the Zamorano Pan-American School (Honduras), CIP/CIGAR offices in Peru and World Bank offices in Peru and Argentina.Diagnostic and mapping of UA activities in the urban core of Lima (Peru) by a local institution (AIDER): identification of 33 public and private institutions working in UA; 200 families surveyed.Two-day workshop for the selection of case studies in Lima resulting in the elaboration of workshop proceedings and criteria for the selection of case studies. Four participatory workshops on the topics of food security and nutrition, economy, environment and agriculture and social issues.Members of the research team were invited to participate in international (Kenya & Holland), regional (Costa Rica) and local events (Peru) as well as in the working table on Food Security and UA (Costa Rica) and the Food Security Institute Agreement with La Molina University and Agroaction (Germany). Students from the Nutrition Institute of La Molina University were trained on the application of the methodological tools used in participatory evaluations.The presentation of project results during the March 2000, National Forum on Food Security resulted in the inclusion of UA as a Food Security strategy among the urban poor in the Forum Agreements.Survey results showed the need for aggregated statistical data on UA. This resulted in the application of a mapping exercise for the diagnosis of existing UA interventions by private/public institutions and organisations.In the case of Lima, the methodology is already being used by REDE in the implementation of a collaborative project with a German organisation and La Molina University (Peru). REDE’s work with IDRC has gained them recognition among national and international aid organisations, resulting in the funding of another project by two European organisations (Germany & Spain). Gender The research team was equally represented by women and men.The gender dimension was incorporated into the research team meetings in order to develop a gender sensitive methodology. Sharing of information with team members from different disciplines has enriched REDE’s knowledge in the economic, nutritional and gender aspects of UA.A working agreement was reached between REDE and the municipal government of Villa Maria del Triunfo District to join efforts with women’s organisations working in UA activities resulted in greater support to women’s organisations working in horticultural and hydroponics activities.Introducing a gender perspective among UA functionaries and field workers was a difficult task for the research team and it has not been fully accepted yet. A majority of civil servants, researchers and development workers in the region are limited by the misconception that a gender-sensitive analysis signifies either a greater number of women participating in or directly benefiting from the project.UA’s contributions to gender often seem to lend more to the solution of practical needs (e.g. traditional roles such as provider of food needs) rather than strategic ones (e.g. health, education, equity, decision-making, rights and domestic violence).While there are some success stories about female leadership and political representation at the local and municipal level, changes to traditional perceptions will depend largely on whether a gender analysis is incorporated in the design and implementation of projects.Related literature Benavides, Marisela. 2000. “Entrevista a informantes claves y recolección de información secundaria: Instrumento Metodológico”. 5pp. June Figueroa, Juan Francisco. 2000. “Diagnóstico y mapeo de la existencia de agricultura urbana en la región metropolitana de Santiago y V Region Valparaíso – Chile” Santiago, Chile. 12pp. Figueroa Vera, Juan Francisco. 2000. “Directorio general de instituciones que realizan actividades de agricultura urbana (Santiago, Chile)”. Santiago, Chile, August. 16pp. Feliu, Patricia. 2000. “Dagnóstico y mapeo de la actividad de agricultura urbana: Ciudad de Buenos Aires y conurbano bonaerense, Argentina.” Buenos Aires, July. 59pp López, Teresa. 2000. “Encuesta para medir el impacto socio economico de la agricultura urbana en América Latina y el Caribe”. REDE, Lima, 12pp Palomino Santolalla, Ruth. 2000. “Guía de procesamiento y análisis de los resultados de los TEP (talleres de evaluación participativa)”. REDE – CEPREN, Lima, April. 7pp Palomino Santolalla, Ruth. 2000. “Guía para la realización de los talleres de evaluación participativa de las intervenciones en agricultura urbana”. REDE – CEPREN, Lima, April. 34pp Ramírez, Yolanda. 1999. “Diagnóstico y mapeo de la existencia de agricultura urbana en Lima metropolitana”. AIDER, Lima, November – December. 13pp REDE. 2000. “Protocolo de Investigación: Metodología para el diagnóstico de intervenciones en agricultura urbana en América Latina. June. 34pp REDE. 2000. “Taller de evaluación participativa”. 6ppREDE. 2000. “Directorio general de instituciones dedicadas a las actividades de agricultura urbana en Lima – Peru”. Lima. 15pp REDE. 2000. “Experiencias de Agricultura Urbana en América Latina” (Guía). Lima. 5ppREDE. 2000. “Experiencias de Agricultura Urbana en América Latina – Lima”. Lima. 27ppREDE. 2000. “Guía metodológica para la realización de diagnóstico general y mapeo de agricultura urbana”. Lima. 17pp Contact José Andrés Dasso, Project leader Asociación Recursos para el Desarrollo - REDE Lima 18 Peru rede@amauta.rcp.net.pe
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