Problem census methodology for identifying priority intervention areas in community-based extension planning

Abstract

In a village in northern Algeria, extension agents spent two years promoting drip irrigation before discovering the community's pressing problem was post-harvest storage loss. This research evaluated problem census methodology across 24 farming communities in three Algerian wilayas. Census exercises with 432 households between February and September 2023 identified pest management (4.2/5), soil fertility (3.8), and water access (3.6) as top problems, with significant inter-community variation. Communities where programs aligned with census priorities showed 47.3% higher farmer participation than those with pre-set agendas (p<0.001). The approach proved most effective when combined with participatory ranking and seasonal follow-up.