Fundamentals of Extension Education

Scope of PRA

Definition of PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal)
PRA is the methodology for interacting with villagers and seeking their participation in putting forward their points of views about problems, analysing them and utilising the information to acquire learning.

Scope and features of PRA
1. It takes into account the people’s indigenous knowledge
2. It is learning through participation about livelihood system and interaction of various facts.
3. It helps in joint evaluation of problems and opportunities.
4. The PRA is concerned with collecting information through participation.
5. It helps farmers to communicates their perception in their own language and mode of communication. Thus the of use symbols, maps and drawings is made not in standard forms of art but in a manner villagers can understand and do naturally.
6. It requires living and looking at life from close quarters, using methods that enables participation and learning. It lays emphasis on listening to peoples experiences, history, culture, priorities and performance.
7. It encourages multidisciplinary investigation using multiple methods for cross checking to allow different perspectives.
8. Attitude of listening, learning and respect for rural people is essential for conducting PRA to enable mutual learning and understanding.