The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance to the conduct of the 2022 Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME) to be conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). The ATI is the extension and training arm of the Department of Agriculture which is mandated to train agricultural extension workers and their beneficiaries and lead the delivery of e-extension services for agriculture and fisheries.

The main objective of the survey is to determine and present the values of the 28 identified results indicators based on the AFE Theory of Change model. It provides quantitative and qualitative measures that show the changes that happened to clients and beneficiaries that received ATI extension interventions and its AFE partners. It is a way to determine if ATI and its partners have been successful in implementing their planned interventions and whether these produced its intended results as envisioned during the planning process.

Specifically, the AFE RBME system aims to:

1. Organize the data and information of the ATI as it encourages better management and storage of information, particularly for the data needs of the RBME system;
2. Make recommendations aimed to prompt the examination of existing problems and issues and to improve the delivery of programs and services; and
3. Communicate with the general public and other stakeholders the results of the interventions conducted by the ATI and its partners over the past years.

Among the data items to be collected in the survey are the following:

1. Socio-demographic profile (client type, sex, age, highest educational attainment);
2. Extension intervention received;
3. Farm productivity (farm land size, tenure, farm income);
4. Adoption rate to the technologies and practices learned from ATI extension programs and activities; and
5. Client satisfaction.

A total budget amounting to PhP 200.0 thousand per center or about PhP 3.2 million will be utilized in the survey to interview a total of 5,711 farmers and local government unit (LGU) extension workers from February to April 2022. Results of the survey are scheduled to be released in September 2022.

The AFE RBME was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

1. ensure sound design for data collection;
2. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
3. effect economy in statistical data collection;
4. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
5. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the selected farmers and LGU extension workers nationwide to support the said statistical undertaking by providing the required information.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division of the Standards Service with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email addresses ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph and ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General