A total of 25 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) successfully completed the training on “Data-Driven Decisions with the 4D Farms Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Tool” on April 2–4, 2025, at Magsaysay Hillside Resort, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro.
The first day was packed with valuable insights as AEWs learned from resource persons Mr. Erlan D. Pasana, OIC-Chief, and Mr. Daven T. Jugno, Information Officer II of the Information Services Section of the Agricultural Training Institute–MIMAROPA. Their lectures covered essential topics, including an overview of the 4D Farms MEL Tool, RCMAS user registration, and sampling techniques.
On the second day, Ms. Marilyn M. Sanchez, Senior Science Research Specialist of the Department of Agriculture (DA) MIMAROPA – Research Division, discussed the MEL Tool questionnaire. Moreover, participants learned about strategies for field deployment and the data management process.
The training culminated on the third day with a field activity where AEWs conducted interviews with rice farmers in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro, who had received interventions from the Department of Agriculture. The fieldwork allowed participants to apply their learning using the MEL Tool in a real-world setting.
With the knowledge and skills, they have gained, the AEWs are now expected to support the DA-RFO IMAROPA in the upcoming rollout of MEL interviews in their respective municipalities.
