Aggie NorMin capacitates community organizers on Participatory Rural Appraisal

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In an effort to harmonize Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodologies across its programs and projects, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) conducted a Collaborative Training on PRA from May 27 to 29 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Convened in the capbuild are the personnel assigned in the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, Research Division, Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) and the 4K (Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo) Program of the DA-RFO 10, which aims to equip the body’s knowledge and practical skills in conducting PRA, enabling them to effectively engage with rural communities. Likewise, it is designed as a platform for field practitioners and researchers to share and exchange best practices, fostering collaboration and consistency in community-based approaches across the agency’s programs.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca emphasized that the PRA aids in empowering community members to participate in identifying and addressing their respective challenges toward a more sustainable and inclusive way in the delivery and maximization of agricultural interventions.

Meanwhile, resource speaker, Rachel V. Polestico, highlighted the need to consider the interplay of people, institution and resources when conducting rural appraisals and utilizing diverse PRA methods such as transect walk, problem tree analysis, and seasonal calendar, among others.

She also stressed the importance of thoroughly documenting the entire process as it provides essential baseline data.

Following the discussions, the participants also underwent a field practice in the rural community of Brgy. Kibenton in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Of which, the team immersed with around 30 participants, comprising of local government unit representatives in the barangay and municipal level and farmer-members of Kibenton High Value Crops Farmers’ Association, who are mostly planting potatoes, chayote, cabbage and other high valued crops. # (AMBM)