Tue, 20 May 2014 10:21:49 +0200
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I am Sheilah S. Vergara, Program Specialist for Training and Capacity Building, Regional Center for Asia, International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), the Philippines. I was also the Program Manager of the Community Agricultural Technology Program (CATP) in the Philippines funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). CATP was a project of ACIAR but was a program that had several agricultural projects focusing on adaption of select ACIAR technologies by farmer beneficiaries through the assistance of local NGOs. The program aimed to give farmers the opportunity to choose the technology that will suit them best. They were also provided with opportunities to conduct on-farm experiments using locally available materials. I have more than 10 years experience in program and project management and monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
I would like to share my experience on the following:
In CATP, the local NGOs which received grants from CATP to implement activities based on approved proposals instituted participatory monitoring and evaluation where the farmer-beneficiaries were the ones in charge of monitoring the results of new technologies adopted in the field. This was done with the guidance and assistance of the NGO field staff. The advantage of the involvement of farmers in monitoring the results of field experiments is that they get to adjust and develop their own strategies to attain increased production (crops or livestock). They are free to assess what basket of technology would best fit their needs and resources and each of the technologies offered are explained in detail so that the farmers have an informed choice.
Farmers know best what would work for them. And by involving them in the decision making process where they can select technologies that fit their needs, it is easier to involve them in monitoring and assessment of impacts given that they have a greater stake in the success of the project. Farmers who have been involved since the planning stage up to implementation and monitoring and evaluation are more likely to have a feeling of ownership for the project and more likely to continue implementing the project once funding is already terminated.
Sheilah S. Vergara
Program Specialist, Training and Capacity Building
Regional Center for Asia
International Institute of Rural Reconstruction
Y.C. James Yen Center, Km. 39 Aguinaldo Highway,
Silang, Cavite 4118,
Philippines
Tel/Fax: +63 46 414 3216
Email: sheilah.vergara (at) iirr.org
Website: www.iirr.org
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