Farm surveys are often the first step taken in identifying storage problems. As time and money for such work are generally scarce, it is important to be able to make the best use of them to get the information needed. This paper describes some of the specific techniques and experience developed by the Ghana MoFA/UK ODA Larger Grain Borer Project for rapid storage surveys on small-scale farms.
It is argued that the following factors can critically contribute to producing more timely and relevant results:
• formulation of specific survey objectives which
focus on gathering data needed for decision-making.
• use of a range of techniques to meet these objectives, including secondary data and key informants, informal surveys, case studies and participatory meetings.
• avoidance of unwitting sampling bias, using rapid techniques such as transect village walks to select farmers, along with careful timing of field visits.
• methods of sample analysis which can be used in the field, rather than the lab.
Field analysis has many benefits including cost, speed, potential for increased sampling, and most importantly the greater participation of farmers and field staff in the analysis and interpretation of results.
• use of rapid and flexible techniques of analysis and presentation, in particular
mapping.
Practical examples of each of these are given
