The Department of Agriculture (DA) XII intends to intensify its efforts to have an effective monitoring and evaluation tool on its project implementation.

Recently DAXII conducted a training on Rapid Appraisal of Emerging Benefits (RAEB) in General Santos City, January 24-27, 2023, to its project engineers and banner program coordinators and staff.

RAEB is introduced by the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) as a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tool for its subprojects and is set to be used by DA XII for its projects.

It is an intermediate evaluation activity focused in determining the success of the PRDP subprojects and how it is aligned to its Project Development Objectives. It aims to validate the extent by which investments will be translated to outcomes envisioned for the intended beneficiaries as well as assess the sustainability, hindrances and help determine the substantial solution and practices.

DA XII Regional Technical Director for Planning and Special Concerns Levi Fortuna underscored that with the training, personnel of DA XII will be more equipped to assess the success of projects implemented by the agency.

“We can ensure sustainability of our projects because of this tool… we have now a structured monitoring and evaluation tool,” he added.Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Head of Project Support Office Mindanao Joseph Rico led the team of PRDP consultants who facilitated the training.

“This is part of the mainstreaming process of PRDP innovation tools to the operations and processes of DA,” Rico said.

The participants underwent training and workshop on the concepts of RAEB and how its components are conducted on field, like a simulation on key informant interview, focused group discussion, household interviews, and spot interviews. (Cary Ullyses Aguilon, RPCO 12)