Evaluation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME) System
Wed, 02/12/2025 - 14:32
The Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (AFE) Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME) System, managed by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), aims to improve transparency and accountability in agricultural and fisheries programs. The system uses a Theory of Change (ToC) framework—a plan that outlines how activities lead to results—and 28 indicators to measure policy and project outcomes. However, several challenges hinder its effectiveness:
Regional Variability: Understanding of the ToC framework varies widely across regions. While experienced staff use it effectively, newly hired employees often lack formal training, causing inconsistent implementation.
Capacity Gaps: Training shortages persist, especially for new hires, despite regional adaptations. All centers recognize RBME’s importance but struggle to maintain uniformity in its use.
Pandemic Impact: COVID-19 restrictions disrupted RBME practices, worsening regional disparities in system adoption and stakeholder feedback mechanisms.
Technology Adoption and Gender Disparities also pose challenges. Female farmers are 37.83% less likely to adopt new technologies than male farmers, with adoption rates differing by commodity, intervention type, and region. This reflects systemic barriers in access or training.
Finally, while the Department of Agriculture–ATI (DA-ATI) outperforms other government agencies in service accessibility, private sector extensions achieve higher client satisfaction due to greater operational flexibility. Addressing these gaps could improve the system’s overall effectiveness.
