Agricultural Innovations specializes in the formation of planning teams to perform diagnostics at the farm, community, and watershed level. We use Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods to evaluate and document local conditions and attitudes. In the process, local farmers work side by side with qualified professionals to create a realistic picture of the local economy, ecology, and culture.

Diagnostics help to set priorities. They provide baseline statistics for setting realistic and attainable goals. They increase our awareness of perceived needs and form the basis for developing feasible and appropriate project proposals.

When done properly, a good diagnostic gives voice to the needs of civic groups, community leaders, and marginal groups like women and children. It lays the foundation on which sustainable development can take root and grow.

In addition, studies have shown that taking cultural and human factors into account doubles the economic rate of return on development projects. Diagnostics aren’t just good planning tools, they’re smart business.