A Cameo on Storytelling and the Most Significant Change Technique

Leah Arboleda
2012

The views expressed in this presentation are the views of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank, or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this presentation and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this presentation do not imply any view on ADBs part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADBs terminology.

Storytelling
Storytelling is the use of stories or narratives as a communication tool to value, share, and capitalize on the knowledge of individuals.

Storytelling
Storytelling is the vivid description of ideals, beliefs, personal experiences, and life-lessons through stories or narratives that evoke powerful emotions and insights.

Storytelling
Storytelling Enables expression of emotional aspects, factual content, and tacit knowledge. Increases the potential of meaningful knowledgesharing. Augments the likelihood that learning will take place and be passed on.

The Most Significant Change Technique

Involves the collection of systematic and participatory interpretation of stories of significant change emanating from the field. Helps monitor and evaluate the performance of projects and programs.

Comprises stories about who did what, when, and why, and the reasons why an event was important.

The Most Significant Change Technique

The Most Significant Change Technique Process 1. Establish or identify champions; 2. Establish or identify domains of change; 3. Define the reporting period; 4. Collect stories of change; 5. Review the stories; 6. Provide stakeholders with feedback; 7. Verify the stories; 8. Include quantitative information (if any); 9. Conduct secondary analysis of the stories; and 10. Revise the process (if necessary).

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Agroforestry Integrates the production of trees, food crops, livestock, aquaculture, and other sources of livelihood in the same piece of land; Aims to provide food security, increase income, generate livelihood opportunities, and improve the quality of life of farmers and their families; and Comprises agrisilvicultural, silvipastoral, agrisilvipastoral, and integrated systems.

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit Development (RATIK) One of 5 components of the Program to Enhance NGO/PO Agroforestry Capabilities for Food Security and the Environment (PEACE) implemented from 2001-2004. Implemented by the UP Los BaosInstitute of Agroforestry with support from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Development of the Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit Aimed to
Document good practices in agroforestry in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao island groups of the Philippines; and Package documented good practices in books and as booklets.

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Development Process
1. Developed the philosophy and framework for RATIK; 2. Formulated the criteria and indicators of successful agroforestry farms; 3. Generated the documentation tool based on the philosophy, framework, and criteria and indicators;

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Development Process
4. Identified good practices in agroforestry in collaboration with partner NGOs and public organizations; 5. Conducted interviews and documentation of good practices in agroforestry; 6. Identified the farms who have met majority of the criteria and indicators of good practices in agroforestry;

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Development Process
7. Drafted case write-ups; 8. Organized workshops to validate the information presented in the case write-ups, reflect on insights and lessons learned, and generate recommendations to further improve farm development; 9. Finalized case write-ups based on the results of the validation workshops; and 10. Compiled and packaged case write-ups into books and booklets.

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

RATIK-Luzon Selected 13 of 22 documented cases Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Quirino, Zambales, Batangas, and Quezon RATIK-Visayas Selected 17 of 27 documented cases Antique, Iloilo, Aklan, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Leyte RATIK-Mindanao Selected 30 of 43 documented cases Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Compostela Valley, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Documentation Framework
General information about the farmer, farm, and community; General description of the farm (i.e., climate, topography, soil conditions, elevation, and other biophysical characteristics); Objectives or reasons for undertaking agroforestry;

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Documentation Framework
Process of agroforestry farm development farm condition before, during, and after undertaking/implementing agroforestry; technologies, services, and inputs needed in agroforestry farm development; farm sketch before and after undertaking agroforestry; and farm products before and after agroforestry farm development.

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Documentation Framework
Effects of undertaking agroforestry/agroforestry technologies (based on criteria and indicators of good practices in agroforestry) Productivity of the agroforestry farm; Sustainability of the agroforestry farm; and Acceptability/adoptability of the agroforestry technologies implemented in the farm.

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Case: Regional Agroforestry Technology Information Kit

Challenges Lack of information (and contacts) on potential agroforestry farms for documentation Location of the farms Weather Schedule and timing of the documentation visits Peace and order situation of farms for documentation in Mindanao Incomplete or absence of farm records Familiarity with the dialects

Knowledge Sharing and Learning

Reflections and Insights
There was a strong desire among farmers to help others through knowledge sharing. Sharing knowledge with others served as their inspiration. Cross-farm visits and study tours provided farmers with opportunities to learn, and allowed them to identify technologies that they could apply in the farms upon their return.

Knowledge Sharing and Learning

Reflections and Insights
Farmers were eager to explore the latest technologies especially if they would help resolve the problems they encountered in their farms. Farmers demonstrated their ability to "walk the talk."

Knowledge Sharing and Learning

Reflections and Insights
Farmers learned from what they saw and experienced (i.e., "to see is to believe"). Farmers were not hesitant to seek assistance from experts and development agencies. Agroforestry farm development and maintenance was a "family enterprise." Farmers faced the challenge of sharing their knowledge to their children.

Knowledge Sharing and Learning

Reflections and Insights
Farmers realized that knowledge sharing and learning required the cooperation of fellow farmers, community members, political leaders, and development change agents (i.e., access to markets, access to technical learning materials, access to learning opportunities, access to technical assistance, etc.). Farmers recognized that membership in people's organizations promoted knowledge sharing and learning.

Knowledge Sharing and Learning

Reflections and Insights
"Bayanihan" demonstrated collective efforts among farmers to develop and maintain their respective farms. It was also an effective way for knowledge sharing and learning especially in resolving problems faced by the farmers. Farmers believed that knowledge sharing and learning should be a continuing effort.

Knowledge Management Center

Leah Arboleda
Senior Knowledge Management Assistant Knowledge Management Center Regional and Sustainable Development Department Asian Development Bank
knowledge@adb.org www.adb.org/knowledge-management www.facebook.com/adbknowledgesolutions www.scribd.com/knowledge_solutions www.twitter.com/adbknowledge
*This presentation was developed with the permission of the Institute of Agroforestry, University of the Philippines Los Baos.