| Author | Amarasinghe, A. A. Milton |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.HS-89-04 |
| Subject(s) | Rural development projects--Sri Lanka
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
award of the degree of Masters of Science, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. HS-89-04 |
| Abstract | The key area approach of Ratnapura Integrated Rural Development
Project in Sri Lanka is a part of its reduced planning effort . It aims
at preparing comprehensive, resource based key area plans with well
defined localised projects. The planning and implementation capacity of
the Project Office and implementing agencies does not permit an equally
intensive intervention in all areas. Therefore more integrative
participatory planning approach is needed for benefitting the target
groups in this key area app roach. This study was undertaken as an impact
evaluation to see whether rural poor, target group of IRD strategy , have
benefitted through this approach. The impact depends on the nature of
the development objectives, programmes undertaken and se lection of key
areas. The study is confined mainly to aspects of planning and
implementation with special emphasis on integration, participation and
coordination which are most important for target group and target area
approach of the project.
The study found that the selection of key areas conforms to the
criteria used for their selection despite deficiencies in available data.
The study also reveals that the target group is not benefitted as much
as expected by the project due to lack of proper integration, coordination
and participation. The survey shows that the integration of activities
in the key areas has not been emphasised much till recently. This also
had affected inadequate coordination among the line agencies. The methods
applied to coordinate the activities of the project through line agencies
are found to be ineffective.
The study findings indicate t hat the low level of people's
participation was the other reason for the limited benefits to the target
group. This was due to organisational deficiencies and shortcomings on
the part of the intended beneficiaries. The necessity of t he Assistant
Government Agents level institutional building in support of Grama Sewa
Niladhari divisional level people's participatory approach has not been
recognised by the project. Further, poor management and organisation of
the project activities undertaken by the rural level societies, selection
of labourers and the quality of t he work done have prevented the target
groups from getting benefits.
The bottom up approach has to be supplemented by more specific
institutional participatory approach at the Assistant Government Agent's
level; this will facilitate better integration and people 's
participation. This will further provide better integration for
implementation of programmes which will contribute to the intended
comprehensive key area planning approach. The project has to give
sufficient attention to this planning process in key area development to
ensure more benefits to the target group. |
| Year | 1989 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. HS-89-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dias, Hiran D. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Weber, Karl E. ;Routray, Jayant Kumar
|
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Royal Netherlands Gove rnment
through the ISS/ AIT Project of
Cooperation on International
Education and Research in Rural
and Regional Development Planning; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1989 |