The tradeoff analysis approach: Lessons from Ecuador and Peru

In the first part of this paper we identify some of the factors that have limited the successof impact assessment, including the use of benefit-cost analysis as the paradigm forimpact assessment. We then present a new approach to integrated assessment ofagricultural production systems called Tradeoff Analysis that can be used for impactassessment. This approach has two principal features: first, it is participatory in the sensethat stakeholders are integrated into the process of impact assessment; and second, it provides a systematic method to integrate disciplinary data and models to supportinformed policy decision making. In the final section of the paper, we use our experiencein developing and testing the Tradeoff Analysis approach to assess the ways that this new paradigm for impact assessment may overcome the factors that have limited the successof impact assessment in the past.