Participatory tools working with crops, varieties and seeds: A guide for professionals applying participatory approaches in agrobiodiversity management, crop improvement and seed sector development

Outline to the guide Within our training programmes on local management of agrobiodiversity, participatory crop improvement and the support of local seed supply participatory tools get ample attention. Tools are dealt with theoretically, are practised in class situations, but are also applied in field study assignments. The objectives of practising participatory tools in training on local agrobiodiversity management and related to that the objectives of this guide are many. However, the current guide book has the following key objective being to provide professionals working in a genetic resources management, crop improvement and seed sector development context a kit with a diversity of tools developed for participatory learning and action that have been adapted to their specific context. In addition to this main goal, we aim to enhance those professionals’ creativity and flexibility in conducting group oriented, participatory learning and action types of diagnosis, research planning and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation with agrobiodiversity, plant breeding and seed projects. We used the handbook as developed by Frans Geilfus , which covers 80 tools for participatory development as an important base for this tools guide. A selection of tools from Geilfus and others have been adapted in a series of participatory instruments that can support agrobiodiversity management, crop improvement and seed sector development. The structure is basically derived from this book. The examples and selection of tools have been inspired on actual experiences during courses on participatory crop improvement, seed sector development, and local management of agrobiodiversity as organised by Wageningen International over the last 10 years. Some other tools are derived form other sources. The tools have been tested in local projects in various countries in South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela), West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire), Ethiopia, Nepal and India. The guide has been designed is such a way that it is easy to use as a reference in the field. The sequence of the tools is similar to that often used in participatory analysis, starting with general tools, moving to tools providing more details on specific topics, and going up to more analytical tools that can be applied with communities, but also can assist the facilitation team in analysing (after the diagnosis) the information gathered. However, which tools to apply, what type with whom, in what sequence, depends very much on the setting and the objectives of the exercise. Please, consider this no recipe book, but rather a kit with tools you can or may use. We consider the guide an inspiration to encourage you in adapting, merging and thereby designing your own tools.