Managing Soil Fertility in the Tropics : A Resource Guide for Participatory Learning and Action Research

This resource guide is based on extensive work done in several African countries.

It is intended to provide user-friendly ways to gather, manage and analyze information and data by applying participatory learning and action research, and to suggest ways to use this knowledge to develop strategies for integrated soil fertility management.This set constitutes a tool kit.

It includes a textbook (Part 1); a collection of cases that explore field experiences with participatory learning and action research (PLAR) (Part 2); a set of all-weather Field Tools on laminated cards (Part 3); a CD-ROM including a software package to assist in analyzing data (Part 4); and a manual with detailed versions of the Field Tools plus a User's Guide to the software (Part 5).This resource guide aims to democratize knowledge.

PLAR is an agricultural extension strategy, a methodology with experimentation and discovery at its heart.

It promotes mutual learning that increases understanding among farmers, extension workers and researchers.

Though this book is about soil fertility management, its approach is applicable to farmer based plant pest and disease control or management of biodiversity.

PLAR starts with the farmer's knowledge and ability to observe.

Socio-economic circumstances (e.g. resource availability) and gender concerns are built into the process, and are reflected in farming practices that each individual participant decides to explore.The main aim of the set is to give field workers practical advice on how to work with farmers to improve soil fertility management.

It will also help field practitioners facilitate positive changes within farming communities.