Integrating Social Mapping with Geographic Information Systems: Community Network Analysis in Sharing Sweetpotato Innovations in Papua New Guinea

Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering A 6 (2017) 569-579 D doi:10.17265/2162-5298/2017.11.005 DAVID PUBLISHING Integrating Social Mapping with Geographic Information Systems: Community Network Analysis in Sharing Sweetpotato Innovations in Papua New Guinea Lilly Pasa Sar1, Anton Mais2, Isidora Ramita2, Amanda Wandau2, Cathy Koloa3, Barton Maino Gabi3 and Lucy Maino3 1. Centre for Social and Creative Media, University of Goroka, Goroka 441, Papua New Guinea 2. Papua New Guinea National Agricultural Research Institute, Lae 411, Papua New Guinea 3. Department of Communication for Development Studies, Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Lae 411, Papua New Guinea Abstract: This research drew from social learning and international development literature. The purpose of this community research was to trace the spread and impact of sweetpotato flour in two rural communities in Papua New Guinea. Research strategy was participatory learning and action utilizing participatory mapping. The paper mapping process was documented using a video recorder and field notes. Geographic Information Systems technology was then used to incorporate local spatial knowledge on scale maps to show spread of knowledge. The main finding was the identification of social networks through tracking of sweetpotato knowledge: identifying who used the knowledge and whether there were any modifications, the location of those who used the knowledge and whether this was shared and with whom. Most significant was the enabling factors that strengthened existing and potential future networks. Community leadership styles determine success of development projects. Rural communities are diverse needing participatory multi-layered methodologies that are people oriented for agricultural technologies to be learnt and utilized for improved livelihood. Key words: Social mapping, social learning, agricultural innovation, sweetpotato, Papua New Guinea. 1. Introduction innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among members of a social system. The five Early development models used communication to stages of innovation include awareness, interest, disseminate information so that people could evaluation, trial and adoption. Adoption is the process understand the ‘benefits’ promised through research used by individuals to arrive at the decision to reject interventions. This was based on the assumption that or accept the innovation from the time it is first when wealth was acquired, this would then introduced. automatically filter down to all levels of the However, despite the assumption that innovation community; including top to bottom communication would eventually diffuse through the community, this practices. Rogers, E. M. [1] work on ‘Diffusion of did not have the expected impact hence a lot more is Innovations’ has been very influential in this area. He needed to be done to have the intended effects [2]. identified four elements for diffusion of innovation to The linear model of innovation where scientists be adopted which are the innovation, the develop an innovation, disseminated through the communication channels, the time and the social conventional extension systems and then put into system. Diffusion is the process by which an practice by end users has been criticized [3] noting that communities are far too complex needing more Corresponding author: Lilly Pasa Sar, Ph.D., research field: communication for social change. than a linear process. 570 Integrating Social Mapping with Geographic Information Systems: Community Network Analysis in Sharing Sweetpotato Innovations in Papua New Guinea Communication in innovation has progressed from we were able to draw a map.” the top down linear process to engaging people in Discussion over the map has advantages over their own development using participatory approaches. purely verbal discussion. Map is a visual agenda with PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) methods engage local detail and spatial relationships shown and can be people and locate agriculture as one of the seen all at once. When people point, touch or feel the contributing factors in people’s livelihoods [4]. This map, this leads to forming rich insights. method is a ‘bottom-up’ approach [5] where research A relevant field for communication in the begins with the people in the community and focuses innovation process is the literature from social on facilitating farmers to be creative in gathering and learning which recognizes that learning occurs across analyzing data on issues that affect them. The PRA the hierarchy from farmers to organizations. method does not only facilitate ‘participation’ but also According to Woodhill, J. and Rӧling, N. [6], it is a encourages changes in approaches taken by participatory process enabling social change which is development agencies. based on: In PRA methods, a widely used tool has been in Critical self-reflection; mapping in farmer participatory research. Although The development of participatory multi-layered mapping activities are participatory, care needs to be democratic process; taken in facilitating the process. Facilitator decides in The reflexive capabilities of human individuals consultation with the participants whether map is and societies; drawn on the ground first, then transferred to paper or The capacity for social movements to change to use with PGIS (Participatory Geographic political and economic frameworks for the better. Information Systems). The style and mode of Learning from this point of view focuses on human facilitation can affect nature of power relationships. actor [6] and refers to how people’s experience in Ground and paper maps can have multiple interaction with their environment affects their past applications and uses; a few to mention would be perceptions which are then linked to decisions for Natural Resource Mapping, Participatory Monitoring their future. Therefore, it is important to engage & Evaluationto impact monitoring of soil and water people using their IK (Indigenous Knowledge), a conservation and changes in farming practices. Other crucial enabling factor in learning introduced uses include social mappingto identify households, knowledge. However, in PNG, the use of IK has not people, livestock and people in other social categories. been developed further than just proposals made to This paper used social mapping for tracking and take into account the ‘cultural context’ of the people. locating sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) knowledge in Acknowledging the importance of local knowledge communities. recognizes the extreme diversity of rural communities, When people are allowed to make their own maps their priorities and perceived needs. using local spatial knowledge, they can plot points of The purpose of this research was to gain insight into interest with much excitement, cross-checking and how people shared the newly acquired knowledge on correction. People enjoy drawing maps and bring so sweetpotato processing technology. The intention was much satisfaction when they see their spatial realities to map out the spread and location of sweetpotato in a new way as reflected in this study. A rural knowledge in the selected village communities smallholder farmer in PNG (Papua New Guinea) through understanding the sharing habits of farmers of explained “…I thought I wasn’t going to make a map, the recipes and products of sweetpotato flour. I thought I will just go and observe, I am very happy, Exploring the sharing habits of people allowed them Integrating Social Mapping with Geographic Information Systems: Community Network 571 Analysis in Sharing Sweetpotato Innovations in Papua New Guinea to give their perspective on the project and allowed were put in photograph albums and left in the the project team to also become aware of established communities as community resources. These maps community social networks. could be used as resource materials by the communities in future development interventions. 2. Research Strategies Information on recipe development and This research was based on a part of a larger project modification was also collected through matrix. This ‘Market Diversification and Sweetpotato Processing was done in one community only where participants in Papua New Guinea’. Project was a partnership were actively developing recipes and has shared the between the PNG NARI (National Agricultural information widely. Research Institute) and ACIAR (Australian Centre for 2.3 Documentation International Agricultural Research). Training was provided on sweetpotato processing and value adding. Video camera was used to record both the Sweetpotato flour processed in NARI research centre conversations when maps were developed and as well was distributed in selected communities in PNG. as the subsequent activitydiscussions generated Participating communities were also encouraged to around the maps was documented. Documenting the process their own sweetpotato flour after trainings exercise was essential to learn from farmers their were conducted. knowledge and experiences in utilizing the sweetpotato flour. The recorded material could also be 2.1 Participating Communities useful for long term archiving of local knowledge, Participants engaged were from two LLG (Local thus may have uses beyond this study. This includes Level Government) communitiesErap-Wain and evaluation stage of the project and when Wampar in Morobe Province PNG. The first group communicating the project’s progress to project comprised smallholder farmers who were members

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