Open notebook with handwritten data about milk production, dates, and measurements, held by a person wearing a wristband.

Field research

Field Research for Evidence Based Decision Making

Robust field research provides the evidence base needed for effective policy, investment and programme decisions. Prime Consulting conducts fieldwork in a wide range of operating environments, from rural communities and commercial farms to remote, security challenged regions, ensuring clients receive reliable, actionable insights.

Practical, On the Ground Data Collection

Our field research spans electronic polling, in person interviews, focus groups, field trials and large scale surveys. These methods are supported by strong systems in data management, workforce development, quality assurance and technical reporting to ensure accuracy and consistency in every assignment.
Local Partnerships and Strong Operational Capability

Field research often sits alongside broader programmes, including projects valued in the hundreds of millions. To ensure high quality results in diverse and complex settings, Prime Consulting works closely with local partners, drawing on in country knowledge, community networks and operational support.

Our Expertise

Our capabilities cover the full policy cycle, from needs assessment and formative research through to full service evaluation. Strong risk management and cross boundary logistics ensure safe deployment and close coordination with government agencies and local teams.

Capabilities include:

Field surveys and data collection
Electronic polling and digital research tools
Face-to-face interviews and focus groups
Community engagement and stakeholder liaison
Field trials and on-site observational studies
Data management and QA systems
Research design and methodology
Workforce recruitment and training for field teams
Risk management and logistics planning
Technical reporting and analysis
Policy and programme evaluation

Examples of our work:

Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme – Annual Benchmarking Surveys

Prime Consulting completed multi-year benchmarking surveys (2017–2021) to track behaviour change and farm performance among smallholder dairy farmers, supporting programme adaptation for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Agricultural and Food Security Support – Afghanistan and Fiji

Annual surveys were delivered across both countries as part of long-running NZMFAT agricultural programmes, capturing changes in household practices, production and food security.
Comprehensive Field Survey – Afghanistan

A large, multi-province survey was coordinated in 2015 for the Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development – Facility, gathering data essential for programme planning and investment decisions.
Livestock Enterprise Feasibility – Rwanda

Prime Consulting conducted a detailed market survey in 2017 for a proposed integrated beef and goat enterprise on 6,000 hectares of government-owned land, commissioned by USAID.
Value Chain Mapping – Ethiopia

A full mapping of poultry and red meat value chains was completed in 2019 as part of a livestock investment feasibility study for a private client.
Field Data Collection – Ethiopia (Global Good Fund)

Prime Consulting supported the Global Good Fund, a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiative, with on-the-ground data collection for livestock and technology research.
Afghanistan Value Chains – Livestock

Value chain surveys and market studies were carried out across multiple provinces from 2019–2021 as part of the USAID-funded programme.
Community Surveys – Afghanistan (ADB-Funded Projects)

Community-level surveys were completed in 2018 and 2020 for the Asian Development Bank’s Arghandab Integrated Water Resources Development Investment Program, supporting water resource planning and infrastructure design.