PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988-2001 3 The use of sustainability analysis in Northeast Thailand

Document begins: PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988­2001 3 The use of sustainability analysis in Northeast Thailand Iain Craig Introduction will be able to assemble the most appropriate `user- tailored package' and utilise the tools There is a growing interest throughout the rapidly and effectively. world in simple, systematic and innovative techniques designed to acquire, analyse and This report describes NERAD's attempt to do effectively utilise information in rural this for `Sustainability Analysis', one of the development programs. These techniques or first tools to be documented as a handbook in `tools' differ markedly from conventional both Thai and English. The article is intended approaches, which are largely characterised by merely as a general summary of the major a lack of flexibility, a concentration upon the lessons learned, and more details and specific collection of quantitative data and their guidelines for using the technique can be inability to respond to the real needs of rural found in the handbook, copies of which are people. available from the NERAD Project Director. Most of these new, innovative techniques have been developed by practically-oriented academic groups, following Farming Systems Research, Agroecosystem Analysis or Rapid Rural Appraisal approaches. However, their adoption by national development programs has been ...