Facts for planning rural development: Some lessons in the administration of data collection from Malawi

Abstract

Despite the collection of large amounts of information intended as a basis for planning the National Rural Development Programme in Malawi, utilisation of the information has been less than expected and complaints have been voiced by users about its relevance and timeliness. Factors giving rise to these problems are identified as difficulties in synchronising baseline surveys with project preparation and lack of consultation between data gatherers and users about the type and form of information required for project preparation. Proposals are made for instituting a formal system of dialogue between planners and data gatherers in order to integrate the two parts of the planning process. Proposals are also made for extending the dialogue to other functional units of the Ministry of Agriculture and to other ministries and bodies concerned with the planning, management and administration of rural development.