Participatory problem analysis of crop activities in rural Tanzania with attention to gender and wealth: ‘setting the scene’ to enhance relevance and avoid exclusion in pro-poor innovation projects

摘要: Many Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) projects continue to treat smallholder farmers as a homogenous social group and ignore the de-facto exclusion of certain subgroups that are hard reach due variety social, economic or cultural factors. This study took place first step in an AR4D project (Trans-SEC) focussed on innovation testing with Central Tanzania. A participatory problem analysis aimed develop understanding by researchers farmers’ crop production system local context. approach was employed identify main problems from perspectives farmers, giving attention socio-economic gender-related differences. Extracting larger situation analysis, this paper describes approach, methods results also incorporates household survey key faced different across four case sites Morogoro Dodoma regions Results sessions contextualised quantitative derived concurrent survey. The highlights critical problematic circumstances low-income households, which suffering most inter-connected their activity system. point lack labour time available women, especially those heading households lower status. We argue these intersecting, socially differentiated situations important consideration defining relevant points entry shaping subsequent stages research design foster more inclusive, pro-poor processes. conclude outlining benefits challenges conducting project.