Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Education and Rural Farmers : A Case Study from Bangladesh
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Barua, Bijoy P. |
| Copyright Year | 2002 |
| Abstract | This paper will examine the issues of participatory research, education and agriculture development in the context of rural environment and sustainable development in Bangladesh. Introduction Participatory research is politically committed towards structural social change in order to dismantle the dominion of the minority group who control the wealth of the society. It is an active process in which disadvantaged groups are empowered through collective education and partnership for socio-economic and political development [Hall, 1996; Rahman, 1994; Selener, 1997]. I will begin this paper with a brief review of participatory research and the notion of a regenerative agriculture program. For the convenience of my discussion, my analysis will be based on this program which was implemented by Gono Unnayan Prochesta [GUP-People’s Development Efforts], a local Non-Governmental Organization in Bangladesh. Unlike many other programs, it was developed within the context of the rural environment and sensitivity to the socio-cultural conditions in Rajoir upazila [sub-district] of the Madaripur district which lies 250 kms southwest of Dhaka, the capital city. Finally, I will draw a conclusion from my discussion on regenerative agriculture and the empowerment of small farmers. I have conducted my field research between December 1997 to February 1998 in order to understand the process of participatory research and conditions of the rural farmers in the project area of GUP. Participatory Research and Social Change The participatory research approach allows marginalized people to generate their own knowledge from their daily experiences in order to liberate them from social oppression. It sensitizes marginalized people to change their social conditions through a collective effort in their society [Rahman, 1994; Selener, 1997; Tandon, 1988]. In the view of Hall [1996]; Participatory research is a social action process that is biased in favor of dominated, exploited, poor, or otherwise left-out people for social change and empowerment. It sees no contradiction between goals of collective empowerment and the deepening of social knowledge. The concern with power and democracy and their interactions are central to participatory research [p. 187]. The main thrust of participatory research is to increase the level of understanding and capacity of the people through cooperative learning so that they can change their situation through collective action within their own socio-cultural environment. This form of research systematically tries to understand the issues from the perspective of target participants. Both the researcher and the people are involved in the process of sharing and learning with the |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://casae-aceea.ca/~casae/sites/casae/archives/cnf2002/2002_Papers/barua2002w.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
