Technical Report TARI

Training of enumerator_TARI Hombolo
May 2021
Babati Manyara

• Project Outcome 5: Partnerships for the scaling of sustainable intensification research products and innovations operationalized

• Sustainable Intensification of Maize Cereal System using the Rip Tillage Technique in Semi-arid Areas of Kiteto District, Manyara Region in Tanzania - Elirehema Swai (TARI-Hombolo)

• Output 4.1: Access to profitable markets for smallholder farming communities and priority value chains facilitated

Activity 4.1.1: Conduct comprehensive value-chain analysis with a specific focus on SI technologies

Sub-activity 4.1.1.1 Assess how livelihoods of farmers are affected by implementation of ISFM practices as a result of Africa RISING activities in Kongwa

Introduction

Africa RISING Project has tested and demonstrated integrated soil fertility management ISFM) practices in Kongwa District, Tanzania, since 2013. Activities implemented previously related to the ISFM include use of improved seeds (maize/sorghum), fertilizers, implementation of tied ridging, Fanya juu/chini terraces, among others. Farmers across participating villages were exposed to the ISFM technologies at varying degrees as a sound strategy for conserving the natural resource base in erosion-prone areas of central Tanzania. These included participation in demonstrations, farmer field days and implementation of ISFM baby trials, onsite training to strengthen farmers’ knowledge, and rollout of Fanya juu/chini terraces and tied ridging technologies. It is against this background that a survey undertaken specifically on maize based cereal systems to assess how livelihoods of farmers are affected by the implementation of ISFM practices as a result of Africa RISING activities in Kongwa. The objective of the survey was to gather primary information on agronomic and socio-economic data for the purpose of quantifying household-level benefits of implementing ISFM technologies/practices and identifying opportunities and challenges to increase adoption.

A detailed survey was conducted with at least 300 farmers considering the representation of women and youth farmers purposively selected from those exposed to ISFM by the project; in at least three villages covering sorghum/pearl millet based cereal system and maize-based cereal system in semi-arid areas of Kongwa district. The digital data collection platform Survey CTO Collect will be used to collect interview data. The survey will consist of an agronomic survey with yield cuts in portions of farmer fields plus an additional component to understanding overall household levels benefits and implications of ISFM, the expansion of ISFM, and the driving factors for these.

Training of Trainers

The training of enumerators was preceded by a 2 day “training of trainers’ that took place in May, 2021 in Babati, Manyara; whereby two researchers Ms. Saada Hussein and Mr. Isack Teya attended that training in order to acquire knowledge of using the agronomic survey tool and familiarizing with the survey procedure for the purpose of training the enumerators of the Kongwa Survey, in due course.This was followed by another training of trainers which was facilitated via Zoom by Mr. Powell based in Nairobi. This second training of trainers was necessary because the Principal Investigator of the Project, Mr. Elirehema Swai had decided that the Kongwa team would conduct the combined survey that would collect both agronomic and socio-economic data. In this regard, Mr. Powell trained Saada and Isack on how to use the “combined survey tool”. He passed through the questionnaire while explaining to them the logic behind the questions. During this exercise, the problems in the questionnaire were identified and the correction was made accordingly.

Training of Enumerators

In order to roll out the survey, the Africa RISING Project hired eight enumerators to conduct this survey. The enumerators were selected based on previous experience with data collection by using Open Data Kit (ODK). One-day training for enumerators was conducted at the Tanzania Cooperatives Development Commission (TCDC) Conference hall in Dodoma on 05 June 2021 to familiarize the survey team with the survey procedure and to practice using Survey CTO App on Android devices to collect interview data. The facilitators of this training were Saada Hussein and Isack Teya (researchers from Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute), based in Dodoma, Tanzania. The training was attended by 10 participants (4 females, 6 males).

Training Objectives

The principal objectives of the training were to provide enumerators with specific skills in:

• (4)Using mobile tablets to administer questionnaires in the field through the application of ODK
• (ii)Taking measurements for an agronomic survey with yield cuts in portions of farmer fields

Training Sessions

• Opening remarks-Mr. Elirehema Swai ( TARI-Hombolo)

The opening remark was delivered by Mr Elirehema Swai (PI) who stressed the importance of collecting quality data, which is a requirement in this study. He urged all enumerators to adhere to the research tools and methodology. He concluded by asking enumerators to ask questions in case of any doubt for clarification before moving to the field.

Background about the research, its objectives and methodology

In this session, the background of the research, objectives, and methodology were explained to the enumerators.

• Role and responsibilities of the enumerator

The enumerator's duties were specified as to:

• Understand the objective (s) of the survey
• Collect and record data as accurately as possible
• Accurately take measurements and record the agronomic data
• Complete data collection instruments as instructed
• Report all encountered problems to the supervisor

• Good Enumerator habits

Good enumerator habits were mentioned as;

• Preparing for the interview. Being intimately familiar with the data collection tool
• Being on time for all data collection sessions
• Being respectful and polite to respondents
• Communicating with the supervisor
• Turning in assignments that are accurate, complete, and on time

• Introduction to the questionnaire and online data collection tool

In this session, each of the participants was provided with a tablet and trained on its operation. The data collection Instrument was reviewed with the entire group of enumerators. The facilitator took enumerators through the questionnaire, one question at a time, and made sure that the enumerators thoroughly understood each question, its nuances, and responses before moving to the next step. Moreover, the enumerators were introduced to the online data collection tool, Survey CTO, and were shown how to input data in the software.

• Practice Interviews (role playing)

This included a thorough understanding of the questions and responses, familiarity with the questionnaire, its skip patterns and flow, ability to probe, and knowledge of how to record answers accurately. This was accomplished by using a pair activity and practice method whereby the enumerators were divided into two groups. One group played the role of respondents and the second group played the role of interviewers. The objective of this was to give enumerators the opportunity to practice administering the instruments and to provide and receive feedback on the instruments. The enumerators practiced using the data collection instrument on each other. They split up into pairs and took turns administering and responding to the data collection instrument.

• Procedure for taking field measurements

The procedure for taking field measurements for agronomic data collection was explained and practiced by the enumerators.

• Soil Sampling Procedure

Soil sampling procedure was instructed as:

1. Removing the surface debris from 3 sampling spots
2. Collecting 3 soil samples in a zigzag pattern to a plough depth of 30 cm by using the auger
3. Placing the samples in a plastic tray, mixing them thoroughly and removing foreign materials like roots, stones, etc
4. Reducing the bulk to about half kilogram by quartering method; whereby the thoroughly mixed soil sample was divided into four equal parts. The two opposite quarters were discarded and the remaining two quarters

were remixed and the process repeated until the desired sample size was obtained

1. Collecting the sample in a clean bag
2. Labelling the bag to indicate the name of the village, name of the farmer, ID number of the farmer, and date

• Maize Grain Soil Sampling Procedure

Procedure for taking production measurements

The procedure for taking field measurements for agronomic data collection was explained, demonstrated, and practiced by the enumerators as follows:

1. Selecting a representative part of the plot where yield assessment is to be done
2. Measuring a 10m by 10 m plot whereby maize grain samples were collected.
3. In the 10 * 10 m plot, measuring and marking 2 replicates of 3*3 m from the adjacent diagonals of the plot; making sure the boundary of replicate is marked properly such that plants outside the boundary are not counted
4. Counting and recording the number of plants in the replicate by cutting at the soil surface then peeling and removing the cobs leaving the husks on the main stems
5. Counting all the cobs for the replicate, putting in a bag, and weighing
6. Tying all the Stover for the replicate and weighing
7. Taking 5 cobs representative of varying sizes and weighing
8. From the 10*10 m plot; marking 2 net plots each measuring 3*3m and harvesting them.
9. Recording the number of plants and cobs
10. Recording the measured weights of Stover and cobs
11. Sampling 5 cobs, weighing them, packaging and labeling them
12. Recording the following measurements for each replication in a notebook: Plant count, Total Stover weight (kg), number of cobs, Total cobs weight (kg), Weight of 5 cobs (kg)
13. Finally, input the measurements in the questionnaire

Recap of the training and final words

At the end of the training, a brief recap was conducted in order to clear the doubts, and finally, the enumerators were handed over with necessary logistics and tablets ready for data collection from the field.

• ANNEX 1: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

S/N	NAME	POSITION	INSTITUTION
1	Dr Cornel Massawe	Centre Director	TARI Makutupora
2	Elirehema Swai	Principal Investigator	TARI Makutupora
3	Saada Hussein	Supervisor/Facilitator	TARI Makutupora
4	Isack Teya	Facilitator/Enumerator	TARI Makutupora
5	Zacharia Maseta	Enumerator	TARI Makutupora
6	Elisha Bakuza	Enumerator	TARI Makutupora
7	Sada Shosy	Enumerator	TARI Makutupora
8	Andekelile Mwamahonje	Enumerator	TARI Hombolo
9	Grace Manda	Enumerator	TARI Hombolo
10	Mary Kinyaiya	Enumerator	TARI Hombolo
11	Duncan Ngaka	Accountant	TARI Hombolo
12	Anna Kimollo	Accountant	TARI Makutupora
13	Felista Mpore	Enumerator	TARI Makutupora
14	Amarchius James	Enumerator	TARI Makutupora