Fisheries Extension Education (2+1) copy 1

5.3.1 Participatory planning process

In many societies, development programmes are constructed as external intervention, may be, from government or other agencies. Though development programmes are meant for the development of the community, in many instances, the community is not a part of it, in its conception. Since, the development programmers are meant for the progress of the community, participation of the community in the implementation iof the programme is a prerequisite for the programme to make it a sustainable one.

Earlier, participation of the community in programme development and implementation was very minimal. They were involved as a source for collecting some primary data for the programme or engaged as labour during implementation phase of the programme. This has resulted in many programmes not yielding the anticipated results as in many instances people did not identify themselves with such programms. Of late, this gap has been well realised and now the concept of decentralized planning ie, planning at the grass roots level is gaining importance. Thus, in simple words, participatory planning process is involving people (for whom the programmes are evolved), in the planning, implementation and evaluation process of the programme to make it people oriented and sustainable one.

Participatory planning can be defined as joint actions of local people and project staff with the objective of formulating development plans and selecting the best available alternatives for their implementation.

There are several types of participation of the local community in programmes depending on the level of participation; basically there are two types of participation.

(i) Passive participation: People participate by being told that what is going to happen (ie) creating an awareness about the implementation of the programme.

(ii) Interactive participation: People participate in joint analysis which leads to locally formulated action plans.

In participatory planning, two-way learning takes place. Officials/ scientists/ development workers learn from the local community, their real life situation, needs and aspirations. People, in turn, are empowered on planning, implementation and evaluation processes. The basic assumptions in participatory planning are:

(i) Participatory approaches facilitate the process of local empowerment by creating opportunities for specific disadvantaged groups.

(ii) This will enhance political commitment and institutional support for local planning by building common understanding between institutions and local groups.