CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November 16, 2023 – The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Phase 2 through its National Program Management Office (NPMO) completed the series of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Training of Trainers (TOT) for 148 development workers across 15 SAAD-covered regions. 

The activity started in Luzon clusters A and B (59 participants) last September 11-15 and September 25-29; and Visayas cluster (53 participants) on October 2-6.

The last batch of the TOT for PRA in Mindanao Cluster B includes 36 program implementers from Food and Production Livelihood (FPL), Marketing Enterprise and Development (MAED), Social Preparation and Program Management (SPPM), Administrative and Procurement (A&P), Area Coordinators, Information Officer (IO), and Information Technology and Database Development (IDD) units of Regions 9, 10, and 13. 

Held on October 16 to 20, 2023, the workshop – ran through a team-teaching method – laid down PRA fundamental principles and practices through extensive and interactive lectures. 

Sharing his expertise with the use of Participatory Rural Appraisal social development approach and its relevance in empowering communities and fostering sustainable development, Dr. Pedro Dumaraos, Jr., Deputy Director of the Special Area for Agricultural Development – National Program Management Office (SAAD-NPMO) discussed how to conduct timely and effective needs assessment.

Following his remarks, Senior Research Specialist (SRS) Ms. Mae Morales of the DA 10 Research Division presented the overview of the four-day activity, while Mr. Willie D. Nacalaban, Assistant Chief of Research Division explained the PRA tools and techniques using Base Map, Social Map, Agri-Enterprise and Resource Map, Hydrological and Topographical Map, Hazard Map, and Transect Map. 

Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) Chief Berly F. Tattoy also presented the Trend Analysis, Resource Flow, Institutional Linkages and Services, Seasonal Calendar, Cost and Return Analysis, Gender Role, Problem Identification, Problem Ranking, Problem Cost Diagram, Possible Solution Ranking, and SWOT Analysis. 

Using the knowledge acquired from the lecture, a PRA workshop was conducted where participants acted as settlers and facilitators.  Through this, the implementers were able to experience the dynamics of PRA. 

In essence, the successful completion of the PRA-ToT strengthened the foundation of SAAD Phase 2. The learners are poised to make meaningful contributions to rural development by involving communities in planning and project execution, to empower them and foster sustainability of agri-livelihood grants. ###

Writer: Kathleen Faye B. Agonoy, DA-SAAD NPMO Information Officer