1. Cambodia Agriculture in Transition Field Team Training How to Facilitate Focus Group Discussions

2. Friday : Introduction Individual farm survey Saturday: Focus Group Discussions Expert Interview Sunday: Pre-Testing in the Field 3. At the Province level Interview Provincial MAFF Interview Provincial MLAND At the District level Interview Provincial MAFF Interview Provincial MLAND At the Commune Level Interview President of member of council At the Village level 30Focus group (See table 1) 180Farmer individual surveys (See Table 2) 4. GROUP OF FARMERS Data on Changes on the Ag. sector Prices of Inputs and Outputs Session last optimally 1:30 to 2 hours 5. Know the site Range of yield for crops Range of prices for inputs and outputs, Local measurement (area, weight, size) Use of agricultural inputs Internalize the Questionnaires 6. Step 1. Select the team Moderator Assistant moderator Note Taker Recorder (1-2) 7. The facilitator should be a native speaker who can put people at ease. The team should have substantive knowledge of the topic under discussion. Facilitator: Guides the discussions Raises issues identified in a discussion guide Uses probing techniques to solicit views, ideas, and other information. 8. Use probing techniques. When participants give incomplete or irrelevant answers, the facilitator can probe for fuller, clearer responses. * Repeat the question - Repetition gives more time to think; * Adopt posture; Pause for the answer; thoughtful nod or expectant look can convey that you want a fuller answer; * Ask when, what, where, which, and how questions * Use neutral commentsanything else; why do you feel this way? 9. Control the discussion. In most groups a few individuals dominate the discussion. To balance out participation: * Address questions to individuals who are reluctant to talk; * give nonverbal cues (look in another direction or stop taking notes when an individual talks for an extended period); * Intervene politely, summarize the point, then refocus the discussion; and take advantage of a pause and say, thank you for that interesting idea, perhaps we can discuss it in a separate session. Meanwhile with your consent, I would like to move on to another item. 10. Team Members: Prepare Flipchart Write on Flipchart Note Responses Overall ambiance If there are issues that would preclude some participants from speaking See if participants need something Check if the Moderator has left some key-questions undiscussed 11. IDEALLY: Participants should be homogenous, from similar socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and should share common traits related to the discussion topic: GROWING CROP X. Step 2. Select the Participants Help and Suggestions from Commune/Village Based on specific criteria 12. Focus groups in a small village arouse curiosity and can result in uninvited participants. Open places are not good spots for discussions. Step 3. Decide on timing and location. Discussions last one to two hours and should be conducted in a convenient location with some degree of privacy. 13. Choose a setting with little distraction. Explain the purpose of the FGD. 14. Address terms of confidentiality. Explain the format and Indicate how long the FGD usually takes: No more than 2 hours Discuss the rules for the FGD: Speaking, Asking questions, Needs to get out Participants lead this. Ask them if they have any questions before you both get started with the FGD. 15. Ask Neutral question, Word question clearly Ask one question at a time Ask clarification Do not interpret if unclear responses Dont lost control of the interview Ask permission to use recorder 16. Active Listening Body Language Paraphrasing Restating Summarizing Clarifying questions Empathy Mirroring Basic Interview Dialogue Skills 17. HOW TO SELECT FARMERS? Purposive Sampling Based on Specific Criteria: Grow crop X Size Technologies Small Medium Large Modern Traditional 18. A.When did you start to grow crop X? B. What decided you to start growing crop X? C.Could you tell us the changes on the production of crop X over the past 3 years? D.What modern inputs did you use for the production of crop X? E. What kind of Agricultural Services did you receive for the production of crop X? F. What kind of Agricultural Machineries did you use for the production of crop X? G.How do you envision the production of crop X in 5 years? 19. H. What is the current areas of your total cultivated agricultural land? I. What is your land allocation by crop during the wet and dry seasons? J. How many family labor are present in your farm? K.Among the following constraints, how do you assess their impact on your farm production? 20. Supervisor TAKES THE LEAD BUT ALL members of the team are RESPONSIBLE CHECK COMPLETENESS CHECK CONSISTENCY CHECK VALIDITY ACCURACY EXAMPLES OF ISSUES TYPO - MISCHECK LACK OF CLARITY OUTLIERS FOR EACH QUESTIONNAIRE DO NOT LEAVE A VILLAGE WITHOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE TEAM FINISHED QUALITY CONTROL FOR ALL QUESTIONNAIRES