Agricultural Systems 38 (1992) 363-386 Rapid Rural Appraisal: A Participatory Problem Formulation Method Relevant to Australian Agriculture R. L. Ison & P. R. Ampt School of Crop Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia (Received 22 July 1991; accepted 10 September 1991) ABSTRACT Rapid rural appraisal (RRA), a qualitative survey methodology, is being increasingly utilised in Third Worm situations to formulate better the problems and identify opportunities for agricultural research and develop- ment. In Australia there have been few recent innovations in research methodologies and in the processes by which agricultural research and development problems are .[brmulated despite the increasing complexi O' (~[" the problems being encountered. Outcomes qf an exploratory RRA and a subsequent topical RRA, .first used in an Australian context in the Forbes Shire, central western NSW, in 1988, are discussed. It is suggested that the concepts which underpin RRA and the range and richness ~?]'outcomes make it a relevant tool for the[ormulation of problems for agricultural research and development in Australia and other developed countries. A model for future agronomic research which has emerged from the RRA experiences and which incorporates RRA is proposed. This model, which .focuses onfarmer participation in the research process, is seen to qO°er greater potential for sustainable agricultural development in Australia than the increasingly questioned linear 'transfer of technology' model. INTRODUCTION Rapid rural appraisal (RRA), a qualitative survey methodology, is a process to generate genuine interdisciplinarity in the formulation of problems for 363 Agricultural Systems 0308-521X/92/$05.00 (~ 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd, England. Printed in Great Britain