Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (RAAKS)

RAAKS is a methodology developed at Wageningen Agricultural University during the 1990s. It combines elements of PRA and institutional analysis to create a framework for participatory action research to understand and improve agricultural knowledge systems, which are broadly defined to include all those generating, transmitting or using knowledge: researchers, policy-makers, extensionists, farmers etc.

RAAKS has three underlying principles:

- joint inquiry into the social organisation of innovation: RAAKS focuses on the networks of relationships that link actors in the agricultural knowledge system, and helps them understand their own networks
- multiple analytical perspectives: RAAKS includes a number of different analytical "windows" to provide alternative ways of looking at problems
- social learning: RAAKS is about joint learning among actors, with the explicit purpose of coming up with well-probed suggestions for improvement.

RAAKS has three operational objectives:

- to identify opportunities for intervention
- to create awareness among actors of the constraints and opportunities which affect their performance as innovators
- to identify actors who can overcome specific constraints or act on specific opportunities.

RAAKS is designed in three stages:

- Phase A: problem definition and system identification
- Phase B: analysis of constraints and opportunities
- Phase C: policy articulation/development planning

Each phase has specific "windows" associated with it. For example, the "windows" associated with Phase B include:

- actor analysis
- knowledge network analysis
- integration analysis; studying linkages and coalitions
- task analysis
- communication analysis; cultural barriers to communication.

Key References

Engel, P. and Salomon, M. 1997. Facilitating Innovation for Development: a RAAKS Resource Box. Amsterdam, Royal Tropical Institute.

This box contains:

- Engel, P. The Social Organization of Innovation: a Focus on Stakeholder Interaction (book)
- Salomon, M. and Engel, P. Networking for Innovation: a Participatory Actor-Oriented Methodology (manual) a set of cards presenting "Windows" and "Tools".

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