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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.