Rapid Rural Appraisal

There is no generally accepted definition of Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA). More commonly it is described as a systematic, but semi-structured activity carried out in the field by a multidisciplinary team, and is designed to obtain new information and to formulate new hypotheses about rural life. RRA is a set of techniques that can be applied at a preliminary stage, for example, when embarking on surveys of farmers. The technique essentially involves an informal, rapid, exploratory study of a specified geographical area designed to establish an 'understanding' of local agricultural conditions, problems and characteristics. They can provide basic information on the feasibility of beginning a survey project in an area, particularly when one is intending to survey an area about which little is known. The techniques of RRA include:

  • interview and question design techniques for individual, household and key informant interviews;
  • methods of cross-checking information from different sources;
  • sampling techniques that can be adapted to a particular objective;
  • methods of obtaining quantitative data in a short time frame;
  • group interview techniques, including focus-group interviewing;
  • methods of direct observation at site level; and
  • uses of secondary data sources.

RRA was developed in response to the disadvantages of more traditional research methods, including: the time taken to produce results, the high cost of formal surveys and the low level of data reliability due to non-sampling errors. RRA is a bridge between formal surveys and unstructured research methods such as depth interviews, focus groups and observation studies.

One of the main characteristics of RRA is to work with a multidisciplinary team. The question is: "which disciplines have to participate?" This point does not seem to be very critical as long as "several" disciplines are represented. For agricultural marketing purposes, for example, and of course depending on the objectives of the research, the best solution seems to be to have at least a team with two researchers, one with a natural sciences background (agriculture and related disciplines), and another with a social-sciences background (e.g. economist, sociologist), but both with marketing knowledge.

The RRA technique is straightforward to administer but can be physically demanding. It cannot be accomplished simply by driving along a main road looking at fields (although such a method may be a way to begin). The successful appraisal may require trekking over fields in high temperatures and/or over difficult terrain. Researchers must be prepared to collect information in the fields, market places, or wherever farmers' daily routines take them. To carry out research with real interaction and participation of all members of the team, it is recommended to work with smaller teams rather than larger teams. For example, large teams working in the same interview simultaneously can intimidate rural people.

Before embarking on any appraisal, the research team needs to decide what type of information is needed. The specific objectives of the appraisal should be very clear and a list of important topics for investigation should be drawn up. In conducting surveys of farmers to establish either demand for, or the acceptability of, new equipment types, the researchers should be looking for information concerning agricultural, farm power and socio-economic issues. Information should be collected on any related issues in these areas that might affect interest in the equipment being considered. Examples of the types of information that might be collected are outlined below:

Agricultural issues for RRA:

  • main crops grown (by season);
  • land use intensity;
  • extent of inter-cropping;
  • soil types and soil conditions (degree of salinity, water-logging);
  • farm sizes, areas owned and areas cultivated;
  • extent of farm fragmentation; size of individual plots, average number of plots owned and distances from farmstead;
  • ground topography: upland/lowland; land slope, field characteristics (average size, obstacles for efficient use of machinery);
  • irrigation supply canal, rainfed, tubewell, time, day and duration of water received;
  • crop yields; and
  • agricultural practices: methods used and timing for land preparation; planting, sowing, transplantation; fertilizer application; weeding; irrigation, drainage; harvesting; crop processing; transportation.

Farm power issues for RRA:

  • inventory/ownership of equipment (tractors, implements, tools);
  • use of different power sources for each operation (mechanized, animal or hand);
  • problems experienced in conducting different operations (e.g. labour supply, cost, crop quality, conditions);
  • use of hiring/contracting services for different operations (reasons);
  • labour utilization type (family, hired), labour cost and availability;
  • sources of funds used to purchase machines/equipment in past; and
  • machine requirement priorities.

Socio-economic issues for RRA:

  • land tenure systems: tenants, owners, owners-cum-tenants;
  • decision-making units; extent and influence of social networks on machine/implementation/tool purchasing;
  • farm incomes: sources and amount;
  • availability of resources: sources of funds if required (personal, friends, relatives, agricultural banks, money lenders); and
  • age and level of education.


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