LEYTE, Philippines - The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center VIII conducted the “Regional Roll Out of the Use of Outcome-based Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Tool” across selected rice-producing areas in Leyte from May 12–15, 2026.
The activity supports the Department of Agriculture’s continuing digital agriculture initiatives through the Rice Crop Manager Advisory Services (RCMAS), a precision agriculture platform developed in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Using the 4DFarms MEL feature integrated into the RCMAS application, the activity aimed to gather verified field data and farmer feedback to help improve the delivery of agricultural interventions and programs.
A total of 127 rice farmers from Baybay City, Tanauan, Ormoc City, and Javier, Leyte participated in the four-day activity through interviews conducted using the MEL Tool available on the RCMAS website.
The first batch was conducted on May 12 in Baybay City, Leyte, involving 31 rice farmers from Brgy. Gacat, Brgy. Igang, and Brgy. Can-ipa. While internet connectivity in some barangays allowed for faster interviews, limited connectivity in Brgy. Can-ipa slightly delayed the process.
On May 13, 33 rice farmers from Brgy. Bangon, Brgy. Calsadahay, and Brgy. Bantagan in Tanauan, Leyte participated in the second batch. Despite slow internet connectivity, the interview process proceeded smoothly through the offline mode feature of the MEL Tool.
The third batch was held on May 14 in Ormoc City, Leyte, with 31 rice farmers from Brgy. Sto. Niño, Brgy. Libertad, and Brgy. Salvacion participating in the interviews. Support from the LGU-Ormoc and stable internet connectivity contributed to the smooth conduct of the activity. Many respondents were family representatives of registered farmers who were knowledgeable about their farming activities and government assistance received.
The final batch took place on May 15 in Javier, Leyte, involving 32 rice farmers from Brgy. Abuyogay, Brgy. Cancayang, and Brgy. Caranhug. The activity was conducted in Brgy. Picas Norte with support from the LGU of Javier. Although the RCMAS website temporarily went offline prior to deployment, contingency measures prepared by the team ensured the activity continued without major disruption once the website resumed operations.
Five RCMAS graduate volunteers from Batches 1 and 2 assisted in the interviews as part of their re-entry plans. Assisting ATI-RTC 8 team and the graduates were representatives from DA-RFO 8 Research Division. Results gathered from the interviews will help the Department of Agriculture further enhance the delivery of interventions such as seeds, fertilizers, machinery, and capability-building programs for rice farmers.
