Countering Seasonal Rural Problems

High inter- and intra-seasonal variance in well-being is the bane of the rural poor in less developed countries. This paper argues in favour of a season-sensitive information base to empower the rural population with capabilities to make decisions about their lives and their environment. Generation and use of information within the framework of seasonality of rural livelihoods (specific to the temporal and spatial context) is presented as a crucial input for sustainable development. Integrated participatory seasonal observations are the optimum amount of information that enables the rural population to analyse and explain, make decisions about and consciously change their livelihoods. Systems concepts inform all the critical stages of institutionalisation of an integrated participatory seasonal observation system (IPSOS), and participatory formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of counter-seasonal development projects. The IPSOS facility also has scope for participatory monitoring and evaluation of development.