IN

XI. FIELD SURVEY OF CROP IMPROVEMENT AND SEED NEEDS

XI.1. THE SURVEY

Much of the information contained in other sections of this report was obtained from secondary sources including existing reports and publications, and anecdotal accounts from selected individuals. This survey was conducted to obtain primary information that could enable a more practical assessment of variety choices, the supply and use of crop seed by farmers, and how these could be improved to enhance farm productivity.

The survey was conducted by the Afghan Survey Unit (ASU) based in Peshawar. Its, enumerators and field supervisors have long experience in conducting agricultural surveys in Afghanistan for many development agencies. Given time and budgetary constraints and security considerations, a total of 390 households were randomly selected and interviewed using formal questionnaires during a period of six weeks. Since it was not possible to survey all districts in each province, three representative districts in each of six provinces in the six agricultural regions (Northeast, North, Central, Southwest, West and East) were selected. As food security was the primary focus, the survey covered seven major food crops: irrigated wheat, rainfed wheat, barley, potato, maize, rice and chickpea.

Information on socio-economic features of households and crop-specific technical details provide a valid basis for assessing the dynamics of household food security and how more appropriate and effective seed systems could boost farm productivity and contribute to viable rural economies.

These data from three districts per province per region are only indicative of crop improvement and seed needs in the survey areas. They are not representative of situations in the country as a whole. Any extrapolation of these results to areas outside those surveyed by this team should be done with care. However, given that these results reflect actual situations in Afghanistan, they are real-time data which could be used as a good basis in developing concepts for research/development projects and other forms of intervention.

XI.2. SURVEY METHODS

XI.2.1 QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN AND DATA REQUIREMENT

The questionnaire (shown in Annexes) is divided into two main parts to collect data on (i) household features, and (ii) crop-specific issues relating to land, varieties, seed, and other inputs and farming practices, depending on the crop for which a particular household is interviewed. The households were purposely selected for specific crops, since this survey is primarily concerned with seed issues related to specific crops. The results obtained from such analysis will, therefore, differ from those in which all farming households are randomly included in a sample regardless of the crops they grow.

To facilitate data collection and analysis, data points in the questionnaire were given reference serial numbers as follows: household features (01 - 59), irrigated wheat (60 - 129), rainfed wheat (130 - 197), barley (198 - 273), potato (274 - 343), maize (344 - 415), rice (416 - 488) and chickpea (489 - 561). The questionnaire was designed to obtain detailed quantitative and qualitative information on the following:

XI.2.2. ENUMERATOR TRAINING AND PRE-TESTING

From 26 June to 1 July 2002, a training program on seed system survey methods was organized at the Afghan Survey Unit in Peshawar for 3 enumerators and 3 field supervisors (3 teams), and 1 field coordinator. A key aspect of this training was a thorough review of all questions, and modification of both the household and crop questionnaires was developed from discussions and exchange of ideas. Particular attention was given to common and thorough understanding of questions by all enumerators, uniform interview approaches, relevance/sensitivity of questions in Afghan communities, and proper recording of answers. Modified questionnaires were pre-tested in Afghan farming communities near Peshawar. The responses and comments were reviewed and discussed by the team, and the questionnaires further modified by taking these into account. The final questionnaires were translated into Farsi, alongside the English text. Methodologies for data entry and analysis were also discussed with the ASU Data Analyst.

XI.2.3. SAMPLE SELECTION AND HOUSEHOLD INTERVIEWS

The main cropping systems in the six agricultural regions of Afghanistan were used as the basis for assessing the crop and seed improvement needs. The following main food crops (included in this survey) are cultivated in each of these regions:

Northeast:	Irrigated wheat, rainfed wheat, barley, potato, maize, rice, pulses
North:	Irrigated wheat, rainfed wheat, barley, maize, rice, pulses
Central:	Irrigated wheat, rainfed wheat, barley, potato, pulses
Southwest:	Irrigated wheat, barley, maize, pulses
West:	Irrigated wheat, rainfed wheat, barley, potato, rice, pulses
East:	Irrigated wheat, barley, maize, rice, pulses

Field interviews started on 8 July and ended on 19 August 2002. During this period, a total of 390 households in 98 villages of 18 provinces as shown in Table 43 and Figure 1 were interviewed. On arrival in each province, the field coordinator held a meeting with the Provincial Directorate of Planning to explain the objectives and details of the survey, and to obtain official permission to proceed to the districts and villages. Further meetings were held at district level with agricultural officers, who normally accompanied the survey teams to the villages. Regardless of their location, villages in each district were selected on the basis of agro-ecological/economic conditions that are typical in that region. These conclusions were reached in meetings with the resident agricultural officers and knowledgeable farmers.

Table 43 (PDF File 54Kb)
Household Sampling by Villages, Districts, Provinces and Agricultural Regions

Figure 1. Provincial map of Afghanistan showing survey districts.

Meetings were held in the selected villages to compile lists of households growing specific food crops, which were used as a sampling frame for drawing random samples of households to be interviewed. Each interview lasted about an hour and the main respondent was the household head. For each interview, an enumerator interviewed the farmers, while a supervisor recorded the answers. The field coordinator monitored the interview process, periodically checked all completed questionnaires, and ensured that all was in order at the end of each day.

XI.2.4. DATA ANALYSIS

The Afghan Survey Unit gave each completed questionnaire an identification number. They were categorized into groups by provinces and crops, for data entry. Most data obtained is quantitative to ensure uniformity and reliability of responses. However, qualitative notes, explanations and comments recorded during the interviews were reviewed and used in interpreting the results.

The ICARDA Seed Unit provided technical backstopping in August to check data entry, correct errors and carry out analysis together with the ASU team at Peshawar. A preliminary summary of key findings were discussed in a brainstorming meeting with the Afghan Survey Unit (Manager, Enumerators, Supervisors and Data Analyst) for verification and clarification. The discussions at this meeting have been very useful in interpreting the results obtained and drawing valid conclusions.