Zimbabwe

Poultry Initiative

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  • Agile Approaches
  • Methodology
  • Overview
  • Findings
  • Research Indicators

Tracking Time, Cost & Validity

Glossary

Agile Data Technologies

  • Computer Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI)

    Computer Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) is a survey method where interviewers conduct face-to-face interviews using a handheld computer or tablet to ask questions and record responses. This technique enhances data accuracy and efficiency by allowing for real-time data entry and the use of complex question formats, making it effective for collecting detailed information in various research settings.
  • Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI)

    Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) is a survey method where interviewers conduct telephone interviews using a computer system to manage questions and responses. This approach improves data accuracy and efficiency by reducing human error and allowing for immediate data entry. CATI is widely used in market research and public opinion polling to collect quantitative data from various respondents.
  • WhatsApp

    Using WhatsApp technology for surveys involves leveraging the messaging platform to distribute and collect survey questions from respondents. This method allows for real-time communication, quick responses, and easy sharing of multimedia content, making it an accessible and cost-effective way to gather data from a wide audience.

Agile Data Indicators

Time

  • Number of call attempts

    Number of calls made before receiving an answer
  • Survey Duration

    The mean amount of time it takes for a respondent to complete a survey from start to finish (minutes). It is calculated by taking the total time spent by all respondents to complete the survey and dividing it by the number of respondents. This metric is important for assessing the survey’s efficiency.

Cost

  • Data Collection Cost

    The reduction in expenses achieved during the data collection phase of a research project compared to the standard costs.

    It reflects the overall financial benefit of optimizing the data collection process.
  • Survey Cost

    The amount of money saved on each individual survey compared to the traditional survey mode (CAPI) cost per survey.

    This metric helps assess the financial efficiency of data collection on a per-unit basis, reflecting how much less it costs to collect data from each respondent.

Validity

  • Response Rate

    The percentage of individuals that respond to the survey out of the total number of people invited to participate.

    It is a key indicator of the survey’s success and representativeness, reflecting how well the target population was reached and how engaged they were.
  • Replacement Rate

    The percentage of individuals who were successfully reached by using phone numbers from a secondary or replacement list over the total number of realized interviews.
  • Sample Size Reached

    The percentage of individuals that responded to the survey out of the total number of people in the sample.
  • Data Accuracy

    Inaccuracies or deviations between the recorded values and the true values of the variables being measured in a study.
    Sources of measurement errors include:

    • Respondent errors (e.g., misunderstanding questions, providing inaccurate responses).
    • Interviewer errors (e.g., inconsistent question delivery, leading the respondent).
    • Instrument errors (e.g., faulty survey tools, miscalibrated equipment).
    • Environmental factors (e.g., distractions during data collection).

    Minimizing measurement errors improves data quality and ensures that the findings of a study are more accurate and reliable.

Acronyms

  • Smalle Scale Producers (SSP)

    The agile data gathering process was applied through Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) and WhatsApp interviews submitted to the different actors involved in the rearing and uptake of DPP. The results of the agile data gathering process is influencing the strategy planning to increase the impact of the APMI rollout in Zimbabwe. The application of CATI technology was a resounding success, achieving 96 per cent participation of contacted farmers. The use of CATI technology also reduced the average cost per survey from 74 USD to 56 USD. A comparison between CATI and Computer Assisted in Person Interviews (CAPI) showed savings equal to 19 USD per survey, and savings over the scope of the total project equal to almost 2,500 USD. *
  • Mother Units (MU's)

    The agile data gathering process was applied through Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) and WhatsApp interviews submitted to the different actors involved in the rearing and uptake of DPP. The results of the agile data gathering process is influencing the strategy planning to increase the impact of the APMI rollout in Zimbabwe. The application of CATI technology was a resounding success, achieving 79 per cent participation of contacted farmers. The use of CATI technology also reduced the average cost per survey from 61 USD to 19 USD, and Whatsapp further reduced the average cost per survey to 7 USD. A comparison between CATI and Computer Assisted in Person Interviews (CAPI) showed savings equal to 42 USD per survey, and savings over the scope of the total project equal to almost 9,500 USD. A comparison between WhatsApp and CAPI showed savings equal to 54 USD per survey. *
  • Field Service Representatives (FSR)

    The agile data gathering process was applied through Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) and WhatsApp interviews submitted to the different actors involved in the rearing and uptake of DPP. The results of the agile data gathering process is influencing the strategy planning to increase the impact of the APMI rollout in Zimbabwe. The application of Whatsapp technology achieved 58 per cent participation of contacted Field Service Representatives (FSR).

The Methodology

The World Poultry Foundation (WPF) is supporting private sector poultry companies to produce and sell low-input, dual-purpose chickens under the African Poultry Multiplication Initiative (APMI). The final aim of the program is to increase farmers’ income and dietary diversity, and increase engagement in the poultry value chain. COSA run a qualitative assessment of the program adopting an holistic approach, exploring behavioral and non-behavioral attitudes of various agents involved in the APMI program.

Survey

Specific research questions were asked to Field Service Representatives (FSR), Mother Units (MU), and Small Scale Producers (SSP), and more general perception questions were asked to all three categories regarding: Supply and Demand, Drivers and Challenges, and Characteristics of those who stopped commercializing Sasso chickens.

Sampling

Around 1967 MUs have been involved in the program, 24 FSR and an estimated number of 29000 farmers.Stratified random sampling was used for the Mother Unit (MU) sample (5% ME and 95% CI) with strata at gender and active MU level . Whereas for Small Scale Producers a snowball sampling technique was used in combination with simple random sampling. The whole universe of Field Service Representatives were sampled.

Technology

MUs were interviewed using CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews) and Whatsapp. SSPs were interviewed using IVR (Interactive Voice Response) and CATI. FSRs were interviewed only using Whatsapp.  All the surveys have been incentivized at 2.5 USD and scheduled by telephone appointment (WhatsApp) or by informing farmers of the upcoming survey (IVR and CATI).

Overview

Risk, Resilience and Climate

Resilience is the ability of individuals, households, and communities to prevent, resist, absorb, adapt, respond and recover positively, efficiently and effectively when faced with a wide range of risks, while maintaining an acceptable level of functioning without compromising long-term prospects for sustainable development, peace and security, human rights and well-being for all.
UN(2020)

Resilience is defined as a set of capacities that enable households and communities to effectively function in the face of shocks and stresses and still meet a set of well-being outcomes (USAID 2015).

 

Service Delivery

Service delivery encompasses the planning, implementation, and management of the program to ensure they meet the needs and expectations of the target audience. This includes aspects like accessibility, quality, efficiency, and inclusivity of the program.

The main supply challenges are delays in supply and limited stock availability.

 

Business Development

Business development involves strategies and activities aimed at enhancing their economic viability and market presence.

Access to credit refers to the ability of farmers to obtain loans or financial resources to fund agricultural activities, purchase inputs, or invest in farm improvements.

Productivity

Productivity refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which resources are utilized to produce crops. It encompasses various indicators that measure the output relative to inputs used.

Profitability

Profitability is a key measure of success and sustainability.

Food Security

Food security and availability encompasses how the consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food meets dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

Research Indicators

The right data drives clear insights
COSA indicators are recognized for their practicality, precision, and ease of adoption, providing managers and researchers with clarity while minimizing data costs. Proven globally, these credible indicators are tested across thousands of applications, delivering science-based data on sustainability.