Strengthening Research Project Development and Management for Agri-Pinoy Agricultural Development

Funding Agency:     Department of Agriculture-Bureau Agricultural Research (DA-BAR)

Project Duration:     January 2012 to December 2012

Beneficiaries:   

Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers (RIARCs)
Regional Fisheries Research and Development Centers (RFRDCs)
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)

Introduction

The project was formulated to provide a viable strategy in integrating policy framework, sector plan, strategic plan, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to address the increasing community needs. It aims to identify and prioritize projects that fit the DA-BAR’s policy framework and align to site-specific needs. In addition, it is geared to use project proposal as a management tool for project supervision, monitoring, control and evaluation.

Objectives

Generally, the objective of this project is to improve the quality and quantity of projects funded by DA-BAR, thus ensuring their significant contribution to the realization of the DA's development goals. More specifically, the participants will be better able to:

• identify and prioritize projects that fit the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), Agri-Pinoy Framework, DA-BAR corporate plan with community/site-specific needs
• design projects using logical framework matrix and results-based performance matrix
• write and package project proposals with the stakeholders in accordance with the DA-BAR guidelines
• use project proposal (project document) as a management tool for project supervision, monitoring, control and evaluation

Project Components and Methodology

• Project Components

The project has three major components: (1) in-country short-term workshop; (2) attendance to overseas training(s) and international conference(s); and (3) Re-entry Action Planning (REAP) and Field Coaching and Mentoring.

The in-country short-term training program covers three modules to be conducted in five days. The target areas for the five (5) in-country short-term training programs include the northern and southern Luzon, one (1) in Visayas and two (2) in Mindanao. Component two involves participation in overseas trainings or international conferences. The third component is the integration of the first two components, expressed through a re-entry action plan.

• Methodology

To achieve the expected outputs and objectives, a course is designed to model a variety of effective training methodologies that include the following:

1. Lecture-discussion – for the presentation of concepts, processes and tools.

2. Buzz group (2-3 participants) – to allow participants to discuss their immediate reactions and share their experiences on some situations that are presented.

3. Small group discussion or workshop – in a group of no more than 8 participants, workshops seek to apply tools, processes and techniques to enhance the skills or competencies of the participants in project identification, prioritization, design and proposal packaging. The group selects a chairperson, a recorder, and/or someone to report to plenary.

4. Plenary session – presentation and discussion of workshops outputs will be done in plenary to promote synergy and learning from among and between groups.

5. Role play – simulation of a specific life situation that involves giving participants with details of the “person” they are asked to play. Role-play will be used in project proposal assessment and/or project proposal negotiation.

6. VIPP (visualization in participatory programming) – Colored cards or metacards, varying in shape and size, promote visualization and project team building. VIPP will be used in small group discussions and plenary sessions.

7. Overseas educational trip – this will involve attendance to international seminar-workshops/conferences and overseas training courses to expose participants to the best international practices and get lessons from other countries on project management and development.

8. REAP (Re-Entry Action Plan) – to ensure applications of learning from the course, REAP will be required, before the completion of the course. REAP will also allow DA-BAR to follow-up the participant’s performance and install a system of field coaching or mentoring in project proposal writing and packaging.

Highlights of Accomplishments

• Two out of four batches of In-country Trainings were already conducted. The first batch was held in Tagaytay City with 24 participants from RIARCs, RFRDCs and SUCs in the areas of CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Region V. On the other hand, the second batch was held in Davao City also with 24 attendees from Regions IX, X, XI, XII, ARMM and CARAGA.

• The training topics were focused on Project Design Cycle, Project Prioritization, Problem and Solutions Tree, Logframe Matrix, Project Summary, Work and Financial Plan, and Resource-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME) Framework. These trainings generated twenty-seven (27) Re-Entry Plans from the participants.

• Attendance to International Conferences and Trainings to various government, research and private institutions was also arranged for DA-BAR officials and staff. These events provided participants first-hand knowledge and information on how other countries develop their project development and management skills and strategies.

Related Articles:

• SEARCA and DA-BAR Conduct 1st Batch Training on Project Design Cycle and Proposal Writing
• SEARCA, DA-BAR Complete 2nd Batch of Training on Project Design Cycle and Proposal Writing