Participant-Based Survey Sampling Guide for Feed the Future Annual Monitoring Indicators

The indicators are designed to measure the impact of Feed the Future programs on agricultural development, including yield of agricultural commodities, number of hectares under improved management practices, value of sales, and number of individuals using improved management practices. The "Yield of Agricultural Commodities" indicator measures the average yield of key crops such as maize, beans, and wheat. This indicator is critical for assessing the impact of agricultural development programs on crop productivity. The "Number of Hectares under Improved Management Practices" indicator measures the area of land under improved management practices such as conservation agriculture and integrated pest management. This indicator is essential for evaluating the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The "Value of Sales" and "Number of Individuals Using Improved Management Practices" indicators measure the economic impact of agricultural development programs on farmers and their households. These indicators are critical for assessing the economic benefits of agricultural development programs and identifying areas for improvement. Participant-based surveys are a key tool for collecting data on the Feed the Future Annual Monitoring Indicators. These surveys involve collecting data directly from farmers and other stakeholders who are impacted by the programs. Participant-based surveys offer several advantages over routine monitoring, including the ability to collect more accurate and reliable data, and to assess the impact of programs on a wider range of outcomes. The timing and frequency of participant-based survey data collection are critical factors to consider when designing a survey. The data collection process should be timed to coincide with key events and activities in the agricultural calendar, such as planting and harvesting seasons. The frequency of data collection will depend on the specific goals and objectives of the survey, as well as the resources available for data collection. When outsourcing work to an external contractor, it is essential to consider the time and effort required to procure and manage the contractor, as well as the importance of a good scope of work to guide the process. The contractor should have the necessary expertise and experience to collect high-quality data, and the scope of work should be clearly defined to ensure that the contractor understands the requirements of the survey. The sampling frame is a critical component of participant-based surveys. The sampling frame should include information on the participants, including their location, contact information, and other relevant details. Participant registration systems can be used to establish sampling frames, and frames can be created for multiple participant-based surveys conducted in the same year. There are several approaches for collecting annual monitoring data using participant-based surveys, including the household survey approach and the producer groups approach. The household survey approach involves collecting data from a sample of households, while the producer groups approach involves collecting data from a sample of producer groups. The choice of approach will depend on the specific goals and objectives of the survey, as well as the resources available for data collection. The household survey approach involves choosing a survey design option, calculating the sample size, and selecting a sample of clusters and respondents. The survey design options include two-stage cluster design with systematic selection of participants, two-stage cluster design with a listing operation and systematic selection of participants, and one-stage design with systematic selection of participants. The sample size calculation involves adjusting for the types of surveys and indicators, and the final sample size is determined by considering the overall sample size for the survey. The number of clusters to select for survey design options 1 and 2 of the household survey approach is determined by considering the desired level of precision and the resources available for data collection. The sample of clusters is selected using systematic PPS sampling or fractional interval systematic sampling. The survey respondents are selected using a systematic sampling approach, and the sample size is adjusted to ensure that the desired level of precision is achieved. Overall, participant-based surveys are a critical tool for collecting data on the Feed the Future Annual Monitoring Indicators. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, survey designers and implementers can ensure that high-quality data are collected and that the data are used to inform program decisions and improve agricultural development outcomes.