The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now rolling out science-based innovations utilized under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) to further improve agriculture and fisheries investment planning.

Partner agencies and local government units took an intensive 96-hour training-workshop from May to September on science-based tools particularly Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) and the Value chain analysis (VCA).

Through PRDP’s Planning component (IPLAN), the participants took the three modules of the training include the competencies in Research Phase, Commodity Prioritization; Data Analysis and Report Writing; and Competitiveness Strategy.

RMA is an iterative and interactive research methodology used to better understand complex market systems in a short time. It focuses on market size, market growth potential, ease of entry and potential for value addition. While, VCA identifies requirements/priority interventions in each link of the chain. It is an important planning approach that guides programming and budgeting processes in agriculture.

First batch of trainees included the Planning team from Camiguin province which studied the VCA of Lanzones; Davao City which prepared VCA and RMA for Durian; and Sulu Province that prepared for VCA and RMA of Mangosteen.

Batch 2 consist of planning teams from Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga Region is expected to complete the course by November. They prepared RMA and VCA for sardines and tuna.

“Our aim here is to strengthen the DA’s planning and budget execution processes as we apprise the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan,” said DA Davao Region director and concurrent PRDP Mindanao Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr.

“This marketing studies are critical input to the provincial commodity Investment Plans (PCIP) and as the basis for resource allocation and prioritization of DA programs, projects, and activities implemented at the national and regional levels,” Oñate said.

 Mercia S. Alli, supervising Agriculturist in the Province of Sulu said the training has strengthened her capacity and confidence when they talk about investments for their mangosteen in Sulu.

“With our study, we now have a picture of the whole flow of mangosteen from the farmers, producers end up until its market. A reliable data foundation which let us see the bigger picture of the commodity,” Alli said.

Sulu produced 850 metric tons of mangosteen in 2016. However, Alli said big bulk of the produce were not profitably marketed and turned to waste,” Alli said.

“We have also discovered that aside from marketing fresh and jam, there are also other products we can develop from mangosteen such as capsule (medicinal product), candies and sweets and even juice,” she said.

IPLAN component head Cerenio Tila said the training-workshop is part of the bigger goal of mainstreaming the innovative science based tools utilized by the project.

 “Aside from RMA and VCA, commodity prioritization is also guided by results of other science based tools including geotagging and geo-mapping, Vulnerability and Suitability Assessment (VSA), and its expanded version which takes into consideration potential areas for expansion number of farmers and other indicators,” Tila said.

“It was very challenging coming up with these studies. We are hopeful that we can get the No objection letter from the and National coordination office,” Tila added. (Sherwin B. Manual/DAPRDPMindanao)

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