The study involved interviewing 32 farmers over four days using structured close-ended questionnaires to gather insights on sweetpotato cultivation practices and challenges, with an emphasis on qualitative feedback. Farmers were selected from multiple districts, with eight interviews conducted each day at the Goroka Main Market, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of their needs and market dynamics.
Materials and Equipment
The primary material used was a set of carefully crafted, typed, and printed close-ended questionnaires. These questionnaires were designed to gather specific data points regarding farming practices, challenges, and needs related to sweetpotato cultivation. Notebooks,ruler and pens were used to meticulously record the farmers' responses and any additional suggestions or feedback provided during the interviews. No specialized laboratory equipment was used as this was a field-based interview study.
Sample Size (N) and Data Collection
Over four days, a total of N=32 individual farmers were interviewed for this study. The interview schedule was carefully planned: on Day 1, eight farmers were interviewed, with four coming from the Okapa district and four from the Bena district.
The pattern continued for the following days. Day 2 saw eight farmers from the Lufa and Kainantu districts (four from each). On Day 3, another eight farmers were interviewed, four each from the Obura Wonenara and Henganofi districts. Finally, Day 4 involved eight farmers, split equally between the Goroka and Daulo districts.
Therefore, assuming four farmers from each from day one to day four, the total number of interviewees was 8+ 8+ 8 + 8 + 8 = 32 farmers. On the first day of interviews, questionnaires were taken to Goroka Main Market, specifically targeting the kaukau farmers from the Okapa and Bena district in the kaukau section. Questions were asked based on the questionnaires to gather valuable insights about their farming practices and challenges. This initial engagement provided a foundation for understanding the needs of the farmers and how they navigate the market dynamics. The subsequent days consistently interviewed eight farmers from eight districts (four from each). Given the pattern, it is highly probable that eight farmers were interviewed on the first day till the fourth day. This would bring the total same as primarily qualitative in nature, despite using close-ended questionnaires. While the questions were structured to elicit specific information, the emphasis was on gathering "valuable insights," "feedbacks," and "suggestions," which are inherently qualitative. The data was collected through direct interviews conducted with the farmers at the Goroka Main Market. The interviewers asked questions based on the prepared questionnaires, and the responses were carefully noted.
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