Report on Training of Enumerators on Baseline Household Survey of Mixed Farming Systems in Bangladesh Abdul Haque1, Sharif Ahmed1 and Humnath Bhandari1 Author affiliation 1International Rice Research Institute Published by International Rice Research Institute October 2024 The Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming Systems Initiative aims to provide equitable, transformative pathways for improved livelihoods of actors in mixed farming systems through sustainable intensification within target agroecologies and socio-economic settings. Through action research and development partnerships, the Initiative will improve smallholder farmers' resilience to weather-induced shocks, provide a more stable income and significant benefits in welfare, and enhance social justice and inclusion for 13 million people by 2030. Activities will be implemented in six focus countries globally representing diverse mixed farming systems as follows: Ghana (cereal–root crop mixed), Ethiopia (highland mixed), Malawi: (maize mixed), Bangladesh (rice mixed), Nepal (highland mixed), and Lao People's Democratic Republic (upland intensive mixed/ highland extensive mixed). © 2024 This publication is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Unless otherwise noted, you are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format), adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) for any purpose, even commercially, under the following conditions: ATTRIBUTION. The work must be attributed, but not in any way that suggests endorsement by the publisher or the author(s). https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/19-sustainable-intensification-of-mixed-farming-systems https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Contents Abbreviations and acronyms ................................................................................................ iv Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Objectives of the Training ....................................................................................................... 2 Method .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Activities ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Day 1: Opening session, introduction of HH survey questionnaire .......................................... 4 Day 2: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire ....................................................................................5 Day 3: Field Demonstration .................................................................................................................................... 6 Day 4: Feedback from enumerators ................................................................................................................ 7 Results .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Mobile-based data collection efficiency attitude .................................................................................. 8 Participants self-reported knowledge of Survey Solution app ................................................... 8 Post training feedback ............................................................................................................................................... 8 The alignment of training content with the specific learning requirements of participants. ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Satisfaction with the training method used ........................................................................................ 8 Trainer ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Annexure .................................................................................................................................... 10 Annex-1: Program Schedule ................................................................................................................................. 10 Annex-2: List of Participants................................................................................................................................... 11 iv Abbreviations and acronyms ABC Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ILRI International Livestock Research Institute IRRI International Rice Research Institute IWMI International Water Management Institute SDG Sustainable Development Goals MFS Mixed Farming Systems Initiative WP Work Package AVADS AVA Development Society SP Service Provider HH Household M Male F Female 1 Introduction The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) implemented a baseline household (HH) survey under the CGIAR initiative on Mixed Farming Systems (MFS) (https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/mixed-farming-systems/) in Bangladesh. The basic objective of the survey is to understand the Initiative's effect on beneficiary farmers’ livelihoods and help identify successful agricultural technologies and practices. The results from the survey will be used to determine and understand major constraints and opportunities for improving farmers’ livelihoods. The survey data will be collected through digital data collection software called Survey Solution (https://mysurvey.solutions/en/) designed by the World Bank. For conducting the HH survey IRRI has hired the AVA Department Society (AVADS) as the Service Provider (SP) to complete the whole HH survey at the preselected villages in Bangladesh. The SP will do the HH survey with four teams, each containing four enumerators and a team leader. IRRI has organized a training event for the HH survey enumerators so that they can carry out their respective tasks efficiently. The training agenda is presented in Annex 1. This report reflects the training activities provided to the HH survey enumerators from 23 to 26 September 2024 by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in collaboration with the AVA Development Society (AVADS) at Rangpur, Bangladesh. https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/mixed-farming-systems/ https://mysurvey.solutions/en/ 2 Objectives of the Training The objectives were to: ➢ Inform the HH survey enumerators of their respective roles and responsibilities. ➢ To provide an in-depth understanding of data collection guidelines. ➢ Train the HH survey enumerators and submit the collected data and information to IRRI efficiently and transparently. 3 Method A three-day training for the enumerators was conducted to develop the capacity of the enumerators to use the Survey Solution app on Android devices to collect interview data. The training used a hands-on approach to review the baseline HH survey questionnaire (English and Bangla versions) and show the enumerators how to conduct interviews on the Survey Solution app. Photo 1: Survey Solutions: Inputs and Outputs. 4 Activities Day 1: Opening session, introduction of HH survey questionnaire The training session was opened by Dr. Sharif Ahmed, Postdoctoral Fellow-Agri-food Systems, International Rice Research Institute. Mr. Sharif Ahmed described the importance of the HH survey and the role of the enumerators in socioeconomic data collection. He emphasized collecting authentic data from the HH survey and instructed to receive the training attentively so that quality data collection is ensured. Finally, he thanked the participants for attending the training session and opened the training session. Mr. Abu Abdullah Miajy, Specialist- Agri-food Systems Res. Dev. & Extension, IRRI also gave a brief description of the MFS initiative in Bangladesh. After the basic and introduction session, Mr. Abdul Haque, Assistant Scientist – Socioeconomics, IRRI briefed the training course, and objectives of the HH survey and discussed the survey questionnaire. A copy of the survey questionnaire was distributed among the participants to understand. Photo 2: Training Session. The digital data collection platform Survey Solution will be used to collect interview data in this HH survey. For this reason, Mr. Abdul Haque showed the enumerators how to use this software for data collection. 5 After that, the rest of the time was spent discussing the survey questionnaire module by module. Day 2: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire At the beginning of the 2nd day, the discussions of the 1st day were recapped. Then the questionnaire of the HH survey was again discussed according to the module. At the end of the day, the guidelines on how to interview the female respondent were discussed. Photo 4: Training session. Photo 3: Survey Solutions: Intuitive User Interface. 6 Day 3: Field Demonstration After 2 consecutive days of in-house training enumerators are taken to a village for hands-on training in actual survey work. A village is initially selected on the day of the survey demonstration where the enumerators pre-test the survey questionnaire. From here they get a lot of knowledge about the various socioeconomic indicators of the selected village. Photo 5: Pre-testing the survey questionnaire with farmers. Photo 6: Pre-testing the survey questionnaire with farmers. 7 Day 4: Feedback from enumerators At the start of the day, the enumerators recount their experiences of the previous day. Issues faced by the enumerators are discussed and proper guidance is given to the enumerators on how to overcome these problems. The entire questionnaire was then discussed again from beginning to end. Finally, the 4-day training program was concluded with the feedback of all the participants. Photo 7: Feedback Session. Photo 8: End of the Training Program. 8 Results The training was attended by 16 participants, comprising 4 females and 12 males. An impressive 87% (n=16) of the participants had previous experience in utilizing mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets for gathering field-based data. Mobile-based data collection efficiency attitude Before the training, 80% (n=16) of the participants indicated that data collection using mobile devices was more cost-effective and efficient compared to paper- based methods. Following the training, all participants agreed that data collection using mobile devices was more economical and quicker than paper-based methods. Participants self-reported knowledge of Survey Solution app There was a considerable enhancement in the participants' understanding of the Survey Solution app. Half of the participants who rated their knowledge as low before the training rated their knowledge of the Survey Solution app as high after the training. Post training feedback The alignment of training content with the specific learning requirements of participants. The majority of the participants, with a percentage of 100% (n=16), were in agreement that the training content catered to their learning needs perfectly. Participants provided explanations for why they consider the Survey Solution app crucial for their work. They mentioned statements such as, "The Survey Solution is new and I require it for my job," and "It is indispensable for my research. " I am efficient in conducting interviews, helping to save time. Satisfaction with the training method used All the participants reported their satisfaction with the training method used. Participants found the method to be simplified and easily understandable. They mentioned how it was easy to apply in the field and helpful in demonstrating how the app functions, making it effortless to gather forms using Survey Solution. 9 Trainer Md. Abdul Haque has been working as an Assistant Scientist in socioeconomics with IRRI since 2023. In this role, he supports the development of the programming data collection for use in Survey Solution, SurveyCTO, ODK, Kobo Collect, and other applications. He provided training enumerators in mobile-based data collection, cleaning and preparing data for data analysis, data analysis, and pre-testing data collection tools. Email: ma.haque@irri.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/md-abdul-haque-7958941b7/ mailto:ma.haque@irri.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/md-abdul-haque-7958941b7/ 10 Annexure Annex-1: Program Schedule Time Activity Responsible Day 1: 23 September 2024 09:00 – 09:30 Arrival, registration Shaheen Bhuiya 09:30 – 09:40 Self-introduction Shaheen Bhuiya 09:40 – 09:55 Welcome speech from IRRI and AVADS Dr. Sharif Ahmed Mesbahul Haque 09:55 – 10:00 Introduction of the MFS Initiative Abdullah Miajy 10:00 – 10:30 Introduction of Survey Solution Software Abdul Haque 10:30 – 11:00 Tea Break 11:30 – 13:00 Training Session: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and Prayer 14:00 – 15:30 Training Session: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 15:30 – 16:00 Tea and Ice break Shaheen Bhuiya 16:00 – 17:30 Training Session: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 17:30 – 17:35 Closing of Day 1 Dr. Sharif Ahmed Day 2: 24 September 2024 09:00 – 09:30 Training Session: Review of the Modules Abdul Haque 09:30 – 11:00 Training Session: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 11:00 – 11:30 Tea Break 11:30 – 13:00 Training Session: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and Prayer 14:00 – 15:30 Training Session: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 15:30 – 16:00 Tea and Ice break Shaheen Bhuiya 16:00 – 17:00 Training Session: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 17:00 – 17:10 Closing of Day 2 Dr. Sharif Ahmed Day 3: 25 September 2024 08:00 – 08:30 Travel to a preselected village for the field test Shaheen Bhuiya 08:30 – 13:00 Mock survey with farmers and pre-test the survey questionnaire. Abdul Haque 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and Prayer 14:00 – 15:30 Mock survey with farmers Abdul Haque 15:30 – 16:00 Return to the training venue 16:00 – 17:00 Observations from the mock survey / Checking of GPS data / Q&A session Abdul Haque 17:00 – 17:10 Closing of Day 3 Dr. Sharif Ahmed 11 Day 4: 26 September 2024 09:00 – 10:30 Feedback from the field test Abdul Haque 10:30 – 11:00 Observations from the mock survey / Checking of GPS data / Q&A session Abdul Haque 11:00 – 11:30 Tea Break 11:30 – 13:00 Training Session: review Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and Prayer 14:00 – 15:30 Training Session: review Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Abdul Haque 15:30 – 16:00 Tea and Ice break Shaheen Bhuiya 16:00 – 16:30 Training Session: Guidelines for the data collection from female respondents Abdul Haque 16:30 – 17:00 Survey Planning Abdul Haque Dr. Sharif Ahmed Shaheen Bhuiya Mesbahul Haque 17:00 – 17:30 Closing of the training session Dr. Sharif Ahmed Annex-2: List of Participants Sl. No. Name Sex Designation Organization 1 Dr. Sharif Ahmed M Postdoctoral Fellow- Agri-food Systems IRRI 2 Md. Abdul Haque M Assistant Scientist - Socioeconomics IRRI 3 Md. Shaheen Bhuiya M Executive Assistant IRRI 4 Md. Abu Abdullah Miajy M Specialist- Agri-food Systems Dev. & Extension IRRI 5 Manik Debnath M Officer-Agricultural Research & Development IRRI 6 Md. Mesbahul Haque M Program Coordinator AVADS 7 Abdul Akher M Enumerator AVADS 8 Abdur Rakib M Enumerator AVADS 9 Amena Khatun F Enumerator AVADS 10 Asikuzzaman M Enumerator AVADS 11 Ebne Sayed M Enumerator AVADS 12 Eunus Ali M Enumerator AVADS 13 Julakha Akhter F Enumerator AVADS 14 Mehedi Hasan M Enumerator AVADS 15 Mizanur Rahman M Enumerator AVADS 16 Rakibul Islam M Enumerator AVADS 12 17 Reket Ali M Enumerator AVADS 18 Rokonujjaman M Enumerator AVADS 19 Sharifa Khatun F Enumerator AVADS 20 Soriful Islam M Enumerator AVADS 21 Tonni Khatun F Enumerator AVADS 22 Tutul Ali M Enumerator AVADS cgiar.org/initiative/mixed-farming-systems https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/mixed-farming-systems/ Abbreviations and acronyms Introduction Objectives of the Training Method Activities Day 1: Opening session, introduction of HH survey questionnaire Day 2: Module by Module Survey Questionnaire Day 3: Field Demonstration Day 4: Feedback from enumerators Results Mobile-based data collection efficiency attitude Participants self-reported knowledge of Survey Solution app Post training feedback The alignment of training content with the specific learning requirements of participants. Satisfaction with the training method used Trainer Annexure Annex-1: Program Schedule Annex-2: List of Participants