3. THE SURVEY

3.1 Aim

The main aim of the survey was to determine household attitudes towards fresh, frozen and processed fish. The results could then be used to assess the scale and nature of the demand for fish in Lesotho thereby contributing to the identification of the likely path for future sustainable development of small water body exploitation. The survey also aimed to collect information on attitudes towards, and consumption of, ducks. Integrated fish-cum-duck farming in rural communities is part of the Short Term Action Programme identified for the Fisheries Section.

The more specific aims of the survey were to:

• investigate current uses of reservoirs

• determine the extent and nature of fishing activities in the selected communities and socio-economic characteristics of fishermen/women

• determine the acceptability of fresh fish, species eaten and by whom, source, preparation of, utilization of surplus and frequency of consumption

• determine consumption of other forms of fish and fish products

• determine the use of fish as weaning food

• determine attitudes towards consumption, and supply of ducks

• investigate cultural taboos towards fish and ducks

3.2 Methodology

A summary of the methodology is described in this section, but a detailed description is attached as Appendix 1.

Two alternative methodologies were discussed and suggested by members of the team, as possible ways to collect the data required:

1. An interview schedule to obtain data through interviews of randomly selected households.

2. A formal questionnaire, in Sesotho, to be distributed to members of the community who attended village pitsos (meetings).

There were uncertainties as to the most effective method to be used. Therefore, the interview schedule proposed under (i) was translated into Sesotho and distributed to persons who attended village pitsos, called by the chief at the request of the survey team. The results of the two surveys would then serve as a comparison as to the effectiveness of each and a method for future surveys selected.

The two survey forms are contained in Appendix 1.

Both survey methods were tried and tested in Ramapepe/Thaba Patsoa. Because of the variation in quality of responses from the Sesotho questionnaire, it was agreed that it should be discontinued as a survey method in Area 2.

3.3 Site Selection

Originally one reservoir had been identified for the preparatory phase socio-economic investigations. This reservoir, in Leribe District, is shared by two communities, Ha Ramapepe and Thaba Patsoa. However, it was agreed that for the purposes of comparison as well as the possible extension of pilot project activities, another area should be studied. On return from fieldwork in Leribe, the Roma Valley was selected. The area has around 15 small reservoirs and is considered an area of high potential for aquaculture development. The villages of Ha Mafefooane, Ha Mpiti, Ha Shale and Pae-Le-Ithatsoa were identified as representative of the villages in the area. Both areas have a history of fish culture since the late 1960's. However, the 6 hectares of fish ponds in Ramapepe/Thaba Patsoa are still producing only a small quantity of fish and there has been little activity at the fish ponds in the Roma Valley since the late 1970's.

3.4 Introduction of the Survey Team to Villages

Prior to commencement of the survey in each area, chiefs of each village were visited to explain the purposes of and to request permission to launch the survey. In Area 1, chiefs of both communities were asked to hold a village pitso, in order for the team to explain the survey and to distribute questionnaires. In Area 2, only one pitso was held, in the village of Tleutle Ha Mpiti, as other chiefs consented to the survey without the need of calling a pitso and agreed to pass the message around their villages. As the distribution of Sesotho questionnaires had been abandoned for Area 2, the team felt that it was not as necessary to hold a pitso, unless the chief had specifically made the request.

3.5 Brief Description of the Areas Selected

3.5.1 AREA 1: Ha Ramapepe and Thaba Patsoa, Leribe District

The communities of Ha Ramapepe and Thaba Patsoa are located 27 kilometres from the Leribe District capital, Hlotse, in the Lesotho lowlands. Agriculture and livestock are the main economic activities in the area. In summer, the major crops are maize, sorghum, wheat, peas and beans whilst in winter the main crops are wheat and peas. The cropping pattern in the district is such that 60% of the arable land produces the main subsistence crops, maize and sorghum. Sheep, cattle and horses form the largest proportion of the lowland livestock population with animals commonly sent to mountain cattle posts for most of the year.

The two communities are located on either side of the 12 hectare reservoir, known as Collett or Lionel Dam. The dam was built in the late 1960's primarily for irrigation purposes. Water from the reservoir is used to irrigate a 10 hectare agricultural project and provide water for 6 hectares of fish ponds. An Outward Bound Centre, with accommodation for 60 students is located on the Ramapepe side of the dam. Another small multi-purpose reservoir is located near the village of Ha Rantsane in Thaba Patsoa.

Ha Ramapepe consists of 5 villages with the following population (1986 Census) :

Source: Bureau of Statistics

Thaba Patsoa consists of 4 villages with the following population (1986 Census) :

Source: Bureau of Statistics

A primary school in Thaba Patsoa is attended by children from both communities. A private health clinic at Ha Ramapepe serves both communities as well as a number of surrounding villages. There is a very limited public piped water supply in Thaba Patsoa and none in Ha Ramapepe. A good 9 kilometre dirt road connects the villages to the main road between Hlotse and Pitseng. Bus services to Hlotse run daily.

3.5.2 AREA 2: Ha Mafefooane, Tleutle Ha Mpiti, Ha Shale and Pae-Lea-Ithatsoa, Maseru District

These villages are located in the Roma Valley, where the National University of Lesotho, together with 2 large high schools are situated. According to the 1986 Population Census, the Roma Valley is classified as an urban centre based on the number of businesses operating, facilities available and population density.

Within the area there are approximately 15 reservoirs of varying sizes. The dams, built in the late 1960's, were primarily intended for soil conservation, although some are also used to supply domestic water to the University in times of drought. The main economic activities for the population in this lowland area is agriculture and livestock. Summer crops grown are maize, sorghum, beans and peas, whilst wheat and peas are the winter crops. Cattle, goats and sheep are the most important livestock.

The villages selected for the survey, surround 5 reservoirs of varying size.

The de facto and de jure population of the villages, according to the 1986 Census were as follows:

Ha Mafefooane, is a village within Roma centre, and is served by a good tarred road from the main Maseru-Mohale's Hoek road. The remaining three villages are served by dirt tracks which make them accessible only by vehicles with good ground clearance or on foot. Ha Shale and Ha Mpiti are approximately 2 kilometres from the centre of Roma, and Pae-Lea-Ithatsoa is approximately 3 kilometres from the centre.

Roma centre has a 180 bed hospital and a child-care clinic.

3.6 Sample Size

The sample size was based on the population figures from the 1986 Population Census, by estimating the total number of households in each village and by taking into account the time available. A sampling fraction of 10 % of the total estimated number of households in each surveyed village was chosen.

Quasi-random sampling (systematic sampling) was used to choose households by selecting every tenth household. Although the target sample population was 10% of the total number of households, this sometimes had to be altered due to time and manpower constraints. A full description of the sample selection is attached as Appendix 2. This sampling method was adopted because insufficient information was available to enable a stratified random sample within the time allocated.

A total of 92 interviews were conducted and 29 Sesotho questionnaires were distributed. Table 1 provides a breakdown by village of the number of interviews conducted and questionnaires distributed.

Table 1 : Number of Interviews Conducted and Questionnaires Distributed By Village

3.7 Constraints

The survey faced the following constraints:

• the limited time available to design and pre-test the questionnaires and interview schedules. Interview schedules were designed, translated, printed and copied over a period of four days, effectively disallowing time for pre-testing. The result has been incongruities between the Sesotho questionnaire and the English interview schedule (which should be identical) as well as the omission of relevant changes to some questions discovered during the course of the survey.

• the limited time available to carry out fieldwork. A total of 13 days was available, which included introduction of the team to village chiefs, as well as the arrangement and conducting of 3 pitsos at Ha Ramapepe, Thaba Patsoa and Tleutle Ha Mpiti;

• limited time also meant that sample sizes had to be reduced in some villages and compensated for in other villages such that the 10% sampling fraction was not always maintained.