The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) has trained impact assessment (IA) teams across the country including the CBSUA Impact Assessment team, which is now equipped to assess DOST and PCAARRD-supported projects in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors.
The training comprised three key sessions starting with the Fundamental Methods for Impact Assessment held on June 17-21, 2024, at Tagaytay Country Hotel in Tagaytay City, that covered basic IA concepts, methodologies, and tools. Topics included Benefit-Cost Analysis, Regression Analysis using Stata, and various estimation methods. Participants presented their IA proposals at the end of the workshop.
The second session, Financial Analysis, was conducted from July 22-26, 2024, at City Light Hotel in Baguio City, which focused on capital investment, profitability analysis, and financial metrics like Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR).
Lastly, the Advanced Methods for Impact Assessment, held on August 5-9, 2024, at Hotel Dominique in Tagaytay City, introduced advanced techniques such as Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Difference-in-Difference (DID) analysis. Participants also learned Thematic Analysis.
The CBSUA IA Team includes Asst Prof Lea Pacao, Asst. Prof. Mae Lustre, Asst. Prof. Judith Aban, and Assoc. Prof. Jerome Hipolito.
Asst. Professor Mae Lustre emphasized the importance of mastering productivity and efficiency concepts as essential tools for improving agricultural practices and shaping effective policies. She explained that a deep understanding of these concepts enables researchers and practitioners to accurately measure and analyze the performance of agricultural projects. By utilizing tools such as regression analysis and efficiency estimation models, stakeholders can identify areas where resources are underutilized or misallocated. This, in turn, allows for the implementation of targeted improvements and innovations that boost productivity and optimize resource use.
Furthermore, Asst. Prof. Lustre highlighted that proficiency in these analytical methods is crucial for conducting robust impact assessments. Such assessments not only demonstrate the tangible benefits of agricultural projects but also provide evidence-based insights that inform policy-making. By systematically evaluating the outcomes and impacts of research and development initiatives, agricultural policies can be better aligned with the needs and realities of the sector, ultimately leading to sustainable and inclusive growth.
Asst. Prof. Judith Aban emphasized the crucial role of impact assessment (IA) in guiding the trajectory of the extension services’ programs and projects. She noted that the intensive IA training provides a clear and appropriate direction, ensuring that these initiatives achieve not only community upliftment but also the holistic development of all stakeholders.
Assoc. Prof. Jerome Hipolito highlighted the benefits of IA for the university’s quality assurance. He stated that institutionalizing IA guarantees proper accountability of public funds, enhancing the overall effectiveness and transparency of the university’s projects and programs.
Asst. Prof. Lea Pacao highlighted the necessity of comprehensive financial analysis to determine a project’s profitability and emphasized the importance of impact assessment in achieving CBSUA’s vision of becoming a globally recognized agricultural research university. She advocated for the inclusion of impact assessment in all extension services programs across CBSUA campuses.
The training aimed to enhance the skills of the participants in advanced impact assessment methods and develop actionable project proposals for future implementation.| 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘣𝘺: 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤. 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧. 𝘑𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘰, 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘵. 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧. 𝘑𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘣𝘢𝘯, 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘵. 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧. 𝘔𝘢𝘦 𝘓𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘵. 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧. 𝘓𝘦𝘢 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘰
