CHAPTER 4 MEmODOLOGY
4.3 Survey materials and approaches
The research team introduced themselves to the farmers for the first time at one of the farmers' monthly meetings. At this meeting the key stakeholders as in table 3.1 were also present and their participation was also enlisted. A subsequent meeting was arranged with the farmers for the team to explain the purpose of their research, request farmers' participation in achieving the methodological objectives, as well as to answer any questions that the farmers had about the study. During this meeting, the methodological objectives were explained to the farmers who then gave their permission to be interviewed and participateinthe research.
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4.3.1 Household survey
A questionnaire was used to collect information relating to farmers' perceptions towards indigenous crops and information regarding the feasibility of an organic enterprise (See Appendix B). This questionnaire collected information on the respondent's personal details, farmers' perceptions of indigenous crops and information on the profitability and marketability of the farmers' organic produce.
After the original questionnaire was drawn up, pilot testing was conducted with a few EFO members to test for clarity of the questions. Minor adjustments were made in terms of the wording. of the questionnaire before the survey was conducted on all EFO-member households. This study discusses briefly the farmers' perception of indigenous crops, but focuses more on the marketability and profitability of EFO's traditional organic produce.
4.3.2 Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis
According to DfID (2002), livelihoods analyses aim to improve the design and implementation of poverty reduction efforts by finding out about livelihoods.
Sustainable Livelihoods Analyses (SLAs) can therefore be used to assess the sustainability of peoples' livelihoods, look at the many factors that affect people's livelihoods, and to identify the major problems with which they are faced. Using the DflD Sustainable Livelihoods framework (see figure 2.1), the four related themes that were explored were:
• Farmers' livelihood strategies. These were outlined by EFO members as means to achieve livelihood outcomes;
• The resources that members possess / own, i.e. their livelihood assets. These are depicted in the framework in the form of a resource pentagon, differentiated into five categories of resources viz, human, physical natural, social and financial capital;
• Their livelihood outcomes were explained to farmers as being their dream / goal that they hope to achieve five years ahead;
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• The vulnerability context, i.e. factors that affect their lives which they may / may not have the power to change, such as policies, institutions and processes but also, thosethingsthat they cannot change in terms of shocks, trends and seasonality.
Fourty-two EFO members participated in the SLA which was conducted in a participatory manner using small group techniques. In exploring each of the four themes, there were three breakaway groups which were systematically selected by the research team. Each group engaged in discussion with a facilitator from the research team. After the discussions, there were report backs in the form of presentations made to the larger group. The participants appointed their own scribe and presenter who then used flipcharts for the presentations. (See Appendix C for pictures of SLA group participants and Appendix D for SLA proceedings).
4.3.3 Forcefield analysis
The same 42 farmers were also asked to participate in aforcefield analysis. This is a participatory tool that is used to analyse complex problems and helps to identify solutions (Skutsch 1997). After the analysis by the farmers of their major problems regarding farming during the SLA, farmers were then asked to prioritise constraints to increased profitability and marketing of their products and identify one key problem.
The farmers also identified the desired goal when the problem was resolved. After completing this exercise, farmers were asked to outline a strategy on how to overcome their problem, and achieve their goal. This was done by the overall group on flipcharts by first constructing a force field diagram. The pros and cons of the desired goal were thenlistedbefore outlining a strategy to solve their problem Certain tasks had to be performed in the strategy outline and these tasks were listed in a log frame (refer Appendix E). These tasks were then assigned to EFO members, whilst allocating a timeframe by which each task had to be achieved.
4.3.4 Stakeholder analysis
A stakeholder analysis aims to identify a project's key stakeholders and assess their interests and ways in which those interests affect project risk and viability (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research 2002). The goals and roles of different groups are
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identified. The analysis helps to formulate appropriate forms of engagement with these groups. A stakeholder analysis helps to build the relationships necessary for the success of a participatory project and assesses the social environment in which all operate. The key stakeholders involved in EFO activities were identified as representatives from the KZN-DoA and the KZN-DEDT, the consultant (owner of the packhouse), the researcher, and six key informants from the farmers' organisation.
The six EFO key informants interviewed were four members in the executive committee and two founder members. Representatives from the two provincial government departments who are directly involved in EFO were interviewed. A questionnaire was used to interview the stakeholders (See Appendix F for stakeholder questionnaire). Where a stakeholder was unavailable for the interview in person, a telephonic interview was conducted. The questions were translated into Zulu for the farmers.
4.3.5 Feedback workshop
After the completion of the data collection and analysis of the results, a workshop was organised in order to give feedback from the research to EFO members, and key stakeholders. All stakeholders were invited however, the researcher and 35 EFO members were in attendance at this workshop. The workshop presented and discussed the results of the SLA, results of the farmers' organic project's profitability and marketability, and the results of the stakeholder analysis. These presentations were in the form of posters and flipcharts. Farmers and their project partners were then asked to identify synergies and / or opportunities of engagement with one another for the future. These results were also made available in the form of written documents. Implications for other communities were also presented.