IMPACT EVALUATION
First part: Macro-level analysis

Photos by Ellaine Grace L. Nagpala, Ethyl G. Bulao, and Maylen D. Villareal

Text by Ellaine Grace L. Nagpala

The Bureau of Agricultural Research has commissioned a team from the College of Public Affairs (CPAf) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños to conduct an impact evaluation of the projects supported under the Diversified Farm Income and Market Development Project (DFIMDP). DFIMDP is a World Bank supported project designed to stimulate rural growth and farmer incomes by enhancing the competitiveness of Philippine agriculture and fisheries and through market-oriented private sector-led investments.

The impact evaluation was conducted to evaluate how research outputs of projects under the DFIMDP have contributed to enhance the competitiveness of agriculture and fisheries sector.

The evaluating team, lead by Dr. Agnes Rola and Ms. Agnes Chupungco, shortlisted projects from the master list of the projects supported under DFIMDP for the evaluation. Thirty-seven projects from NCR, Regions I, III, IVA, and VI were evaluated in the macro level perspective. Macro level analysis entails a classification of the R&D projects by level of technology development, status of implementation, profile of the researchers, allocation of funds by commodity and by region, market orientation of the projects and implementation issues.

Region IV-A
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna
May 5, 2009

Dr. Edralina P. Serrano of the Postharvest Training and Research Center in UPLB gives an introduction about her project “Commercialization of Postharvest Technologies for Off-Season Supply of Tomato” to the panel of evaluators from CPAf.

From the Quezon Agricultural Experiment Station, Dr. Estela C. Taño shows the Oregano wine, a product from their study entitled “Wine, Fermented Juice and Tea Product Development from Philippine Oregano”.

UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey P. Velasco answers a query from the panel of evaluators regarding his project on the “Comparative Biology and Ecology of Economically Important Species of Fruit Fly in the Philippines”. He is accompanied by his co-researchers, Dr. Celia Medina and Dr. Merlin Mendioro.

NCR
Bureau of Agricultural Research, Diliman, Quezon City
May 7, 2009

The team from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management lead by Dr. Gina Nilo gives a background on their project “Community-based Watershed Management Approach in Improving Livelihood Opportunities in Selected Areas”.

The proponent of the project “Development of Farming Technologies for Small size and/or Mucilaginous Seaweed species”, Dr. Nemesio Montaños from the Marine Science Institute, explains which part of his study is funded under DFIMDP through BAR.

Another study from the Marine Science Institute, the “Refinement of Sea Cucumber (Holothuria scabra) Culture Techniques and Assessment of Co-Culture System for Commercially Important Echinoderms” is being presented by Dr. Marie Antoinette Meñez.

Region III
San Fernando, Pampanga
May 8, 2009

The commercialization of “Sweet Aglibut”, a tamarind variety developed by the Pampanga Agricultural College is being presented by Dr. Rogelio Cosio.

Dr. Liza Battad of the Philippine Carabao Center, the proponent of the project “Promotion and Commercialization of Carabao Based Products Towards Village Based Enterprise Development”, replies to the panel as to who are the recipients of their project.

Region VI
Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Jaro, Iloilo
May 12, 2009

Ms. Anelyn A. Hapitan, study leader and chief of the livestock section of DA-WESVIARC discuss the production losses incurred by the native chicken growers in Western Visayas. This was hopefully addressed in their project “Community–based Development of a Production and Marketing System for the Philippine Native Chicken in Western Visayas”.

Dr. Liberato V. Laureta of UP Visayas smiles as he answers a question from a member of the panel of evaluators. Dr. Laureta introduced the angelwings to the project evaluators through his study “Development of Hatchery Techniques for the Oriental Angelwings Pholas oriantalis”.

Presenting the study “Etiology, Distribution and Management of Phytophthora Crown Rot and Root Rot of Mango” is Ms. Helen Bignayan of the National Mango Research and Development Center. Ms. Bignayan stressed the deleterious effects that Phytophthora could bring to mango plantations alongside with the proper management to mango trees to avoid infestation of the disease.

Region I
San Fernando, La Union
May 14, 2009

The light trapping technology, as developed in the project “Enhancing the Utilization of the Light Trapping Technology for Insect Pest Management of Major Crops in Region 1”, is being presented by Dr. Aida Solsoloy to the evaluators.

Dr. Rogelio Tagarino and Ms. Elvira Dumayas from CPAf-UPLB takes down notes as they interview the presenters of the different project in Region I.