I.

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

ARCCESS is a support service delivery mechanism of the DAR that was created to
contribute to the overall goal of rural poverty reduction especially in agrarian
reform areas.

The project is supportive of the implementation of RA 9700 or the Comprehensive

Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER), a social justice
program that seeks to finish land acquisition and distribution to agrarian reform
beneficiaries (ARBs) by this year. Along with land distribution, the law further
provides economic support services to ARBs. The ARCCESS project is also in line
with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP 2011 – 2016), which considers CARP as
a strategy to attain Competitive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries. The PDP
recognizes that one of the keys to development rests in turning ARBs into agri
micro-entrepreneurs.

The larger task for ARBs is to retain their awarded lands and not fall into the trap of
selling or pawning their lands because of poverty. The ARCCESS project provides
strategic and sustainable support services – in the forms of professional service
provision including agri extension services and business development services and
common service facilities (CSF) or farm machineries and equipment – so that ARBs
can maximize the productivity of their awarded lands and engage in agri-related
enterprises.

The ARCCESS delivery is channeled through organizationally-mature ARB

organizations that will serve as hub or center of support services not only of the
ARBO but other ARBOs in the community. The project notes that it is more effective
and efficient if the point of entry of the agri-enterprise is through organized groups
and not individuals. Moreover, the designation of mature ARBOs as hubs increases
the chances of the program's success. A community-based enterprise organizer
(CBEO) will be chosen within the ARBO and will be trained to facilitate the
program's provision of services. In the process, the hub will cover ARBOs and non-
ARBOs in various stages of organizational development as well as individual
unorganized ARBs and non-ARBs

ARCCESS shall build on the capacity of ARBOs to manage the production, post-
harvest and processing needs of their individual members so that they are able to
consolidate their farm produce, and in the process, be able to reach economies of
scale. By doing so, the farmers will gain greater control of farm gate prices and
easier access to credit. This will increase the bargaining power of ARBOs in
marketing their farm produce. Improved bargaining power will also reduce the
overhead costs of farm inputs, which means an increase in net income and savings
for individual farmers and their ARBOs. Given sufficient income and savings,
farmers may afford to re-invest their earnings on both off-farm enterprises and on-
farm diversification. Such efforts will increase the agricultural value of produce and
improve the resiliency of ARB households.

II. PROJECT PROFILE:

The name of the project is Market-Based Agri-technology and Agri-Extension

Services for the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support
Services (ARCCESS) Project. The Agri-Extension Services to be implemented for
Bohol Province Batch 2 is covered by Lot 1-7-AES 1 to 6. The lead ARBOs in the
province are engaged in Vegetable Production, Rice Farming, as shown in the chart
below:

Name of Lead Sub-Project Location Title of Sub-Project

ARBO No.
Farm Machineries and
Candelaria CARP Equipment Support
7-Bohol-AES-1 Dagohoy
MPC Services for Corn Block
Farming Production
Farm Machineries and
Mantacida United
7-Bohol-AES-2 Catigbian Equipment Services for
Farmer's MPC
Rice Farming Production
MUFAMPUCO
Farm Machineries and
Danao CARP
Equipment Support
Beneficiaries 7-Bohol-AES-3 Danao
Association Services for Corn Block
Farming Production
Bohol Coco Coir Cluster
Kinan-oan Farmers Contract for the
7-Bohol-AES-4 Trinidad
MPC (KFMPC) Production Processing,
Marketing and Financing
Lila Maguey Production, Processing
Growers and Marketing of High
7-Bohol-AES-5 Lila
Association Value Maguey Coir
Products
Villafuerte MPC 7-Bohol-AES-6 Ubi Kinampay Production,
Carmen
Processing and Marketing
The Project Deliverables are:

1. Inception Reports
2. Farm Production Management Plans and Budget
3. CSF Business Plan & CSF Manuals
4. Training Design, training modules/manuals for specific technologies
5. Techno Guides on coconut, corn, ubi kinampay, maguey and rice production
6. Monthly Project Coordinator Progress Reports
7. Demo farms with complete requirements
8. Coaching/Consultation session reports on specific technology issues with
corresponding actions taken
9. At least 25 Farmer-technicians from the lead ARBOs trained and able to
mentor other ARBs/farmers
10. Project Terminal Report

III. PROJECT APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

FREEDOM, Inc.’s proposed engagement will contribute to the intended overall goal
of the ARCCESS Program. This is to provide the ARBs with effective paradigm
models that can guide the gradual transition of their farming activities from mere
producers to eventually agribusiness transformation. The transformation aspect is
needed for them to appreciate the paradigm shift, the ARCCESS Project has done for
their farming communities. This will be supported by simulation of financial
sensitivity models that can be developed for each of the ARBOs to show them the
impact of the decisions they made on their farming business

CONSULTATIVE ACTION LEARNING PROCESS

FREEDOM, Inc. recognizes the value of employing a pro-active action learning
strategy. This will be used to build on the core competencies and experience of small
holders and farmers alike. There will be flexibility on the training curriculum that
will be designed and implemented taking into account the inputs from the Needs
Assessments and Design Assessments (NADA) and Project Proposal and Agrarian
Level of Development Assessment (ALDA) reports as well as from farmer
consultations and interviews with other stakeholders. Through this consultative
process, a Training Analysis will be conducted which shall be the basis on designing
the training curriculum. The training curriculum shall cover the use of the CSF
Operations & Management Plan, Farm Production & Management Plan, Training
Manual and Crop Techno Guides (Soil, Water and Pest Management). This will be
supported with establishment of Farmers Field Schools in the techno-demo farms
along with a calendar of activities that the Farmer Trainers will utilize for their re-
echoing of the trainings learned to other ARBs and Non ARBs.

To support these activities, FREEDOM, Inc. will employ a participatory joint process
approach when they engaged ARBOs for the capability building aspect of the project.
This will be conducted in an interactive environment. The end result of these
activities will result to a definite improvement of their farm operations at the end of
the learning process. This will be measured by the viability and profitability of the
agri micro enterprise after each harvest cycle. Finally, a phased out exit strategy will
be developed and implemented by FREEDOM, Inc. towards the conclusion of the
project. The exit strategy will be done in consultation with the project’s
stakeholders and the ARC farming communities.

FREEDOM, Inc. proposes to undertake the implementation of the AES Project

through the ARCCESS Project Framework, which is seen to benefit the LEAD ARBOs
as well as the other ARBOs within its sphere of influence. The Framework will
address the basic objectives of the AES Project at the same time attaining the
project’s deliverables.
FREEDOM Inc. proposes to implement the project through strategic interventions
following the design set forth in the ARCCESS Project. The ARCCESS delivery is
designed to work with developed ARB cooperatives. This will also benefit the less
developed ARB organizations through the training that community based enterprise
organizers can provide. The strategic interventions will cover the stages of
production, post-harvest and processing that would help target communities attain
economies of scale. As the extension provider, FREEDOM Inc. recognizes the value
of building the capacity of the lead ARBOs to handle the commodity cycle from
production to marketing. This will benefit the ARBOs in terms of better farm gate
prices of commodities and help reduce the cost of farm inputs through bulk
purchases, which offer better discounts on purchases. This will eventually result
into savings for ARBOs households.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION and MAIN DELIVERABLES

Project Activity Flow Chart

The project activity flow chart shows the major activities with the corresponding
flow charts that indicate how the project will be implemented. There are three
major activities that will be implemented:

Activity 1 – Pre Project Implementation

There are two main activities in the pre project implementation phase. These
activities involved the consultation activities with the DARPO and ARBOs. This will
involve the review of the Needs Assessments and Design Assessments (NADA),
Project Proposal and Agrarian Level of Development Assessment (ALDA) reports.
The review process will help validate FREEDOM Inc.’s implementation strategies.

FREEDOM, Inc. will undertake a general assessment and submit an inception report
for each of the Sub-Projects to DARRO, DARPO and the ARCCESS NAPCO. This will
define the project management approach for the specific ARCCESS Sub-Projects in
the Province.

Consultation Activity

FEEDBACK

FREEDOM INC. DAR PAPCU

• Undertakes Consultation
• Review of NADA / ALDA)
• Review of Project Proposal ARBOs

FEEDBACK
Consultation Activity

FREEDOM INC.
• General Assessment of Sub-Projects
• Project Inception Report per Sub DAR PAPCU
Project ARBOs
• Project Management Approach for
each Sub-Project

Activity 2 – Contract Implementation

There are six sub activities under this project activity phase, as follows:

1. CSF Business Plan

2. Training Design, training modules/manuals for specific technologies for at
least 25 Farmer-technicians from the lead ARBOs trained and able to mentor
other ARBs/farmers
3. Farm Production Management Plans and Budget
4. Techno Guides on coconut, corn, ubi kinampay, maguey and rice production
5. Demo farms with inputs
6. Coaching/Consultation session reports on specific technology issues with
corresponding actions taken
The First Sub-activity concerns the Common Service Facility (CSF) that the DAR
has provided to the Lead ARBOs. FREEDOM, Inc., together with the Lead ARBOs
providing the essential information, will undertake the drafting/preparation of the
CSF Operations Manual and CSF Management Plan. These plans will define the
collective and management use of the equipment provided by DAR. This will help
ensure that there will be adequate funds to pay for the maintenance and repair of
equipments used. This draft CSF Plan, which shall be presented to the different lead
ARBO Boards for adoption, shall cover the projected financial statements for a five-
year period. The CSF Operations Manuals and CSF Management Plans, together with
the Coaching and mentoring activities will be provided by FREEDOM, Inc. to the lead
ARBOs on the use of the CSF Operations Manuals and CSF Management Plans.

The 2nd Sub-activity concerns Tecno-Transfer. This will involve the validation of
the needs assessment report, crafting of training design, and actual conduct of
training for the 25 farmer technicians, by FREEDOM, Inc. This will require the
completion of needs training assessment, which will define the design of the training
program for the Lead ARBOs. The training activities will be based on the educational
and farming experience of the participants. Their level of understanding, based on
previous trainings and farm experiences, will determine the final design of the
training modules and activities. The outcome of this sub activity will be the
completion of the draft training manuals, which will be subsequently validated by
the Lead ARBOs and submitted to the DARRO, DARPO and the ARCCESS NAPCO.

The 3rd Sub-activity that will be undertaken will be the implementation of the
5-year Farm Production and Management Plan with technologies in
coordination with the ARBOs. This will involve formal workshop activities, which
will be reinforced with coaching and mentoring activities provided by FREEDOM’s
Consulting Team. FREEDOM’s Consulting Team, in the implementation of the
appropriate Agri-Extension Services will utilize mature “commerciable”
technologies already available for the specific crops of the different lead ARBOS. A
draft farm production and management plan will be drafted by FREEDOM Inc.,
discussed with the lead ARBOs before it is submitted to the DARRO, DARPO and
ARCCESS NAPCO. The inputs and the adopted technologies outlined in the farm plan
in each Sub-project, in coordination with the respective lead ARBOs, will be used in
the techno-demonstration farms to be established in each Sub-Project.
Validation and Implementation of Farm Production and Management Plan
Activity

Validation Report

FREEDOM INC.
• Farm Production & Management
Plan to be Validated by ARBOs
• Coaching and Mentoring ARBOs
• Adopt & Implement Farm
Production & Management Plan
• Develop Training Manuals

DAR
PAPCU

Draft Technologies for Commodity and Post Evaluation Activity of Farm

Production and Management Plan Implementation

FREEDOM INC.
• Draft Commodity Techno ARBOs
Guide
• Post Evaluation of Farm
Production & Management
Plan Implementation
• Post Training Reports of
Farmer Technicians DAR
• Coaching and Mentoring PAPCU

This sub-activity will also require the validation and implementation of Farm
Production and Management Plan with each of the Lead ARBOs. FREEDOM, Inc. will
present the Farm Production and Management Plan, which has been validated by
the Lead ARBOs and accepted by its management and members for its formal
adoption and implementation. To support this effort, FREEDOM Inc. will provide
coaching and mentoring on the implementation of Farm Production and
Management Plan by smallholder farmer (more particularly, the farmer technicians
who will trained). The Farm Production & Management Plan will include a business
plan, which incorporates projected financial statements covering a five-year period.
The marketing portion of the business plan will cover a marketing structure analysis
of each specific commodity per sub-project. The technical portion of the Farm
Production Management Plan will cover the farming activities from land
preparation to post harvest.

The 4th Sub-activity that would be undertaken will be the development of Techno-
Guides which are location specific and tailor-fit to the unique conditions existing in
the farms in the sub-projects. Techno-guides manuals on the culture of the specific
crop of each sub-project will be prepared by the FREEDOM Consulting Team in
consultation with the lead ARBOs. Supporting the implementation of the Farm
Production and Management Plan by lead ARBOs will be the preparation of draft
techno guides on soil, water and pest management. This will help strengthen the
ARBOs farming practices and enable them to improve the productivity of their
farms. Techno guides will be validated by the lead ARBOs before it is submitted to
the DARRO, DARPO & ARCCESS NAPCO. Training on the use of the training manual
and crop techno guides will also be done and supported by coaching and mentoring
activities.

Validation of Techo Guide for Commodity, Training Reports & Professional

Service Provider (PSP) Exit Strategy Plan Activity

FREEDOM INC. DAR

• Validation of ARBOs
PAPCU
Commodity
Techno Guides
with ARBOs
• Training DAR DAR
PAPCU
Implementation PAPCU
Reports
• Exit Strategy Plan
Post evaluation activity on the implementation of farm production and management
plan, training manual and crop techno-guides by each lead ARBO and its impact on
the other farming communities will be undertaken. The results of these post
evaluation activities will be provided to DARRO, DARPO & ARCCESS NAPCO. Post
training reports on farmer technicians will also be undertaken to determine the
extent of their knowledge on the trainings imparted to them. The Post Training
Reports will be signed by the Board of Directors and Management of each lead
ARBO for each Project.

The 5th Sub-activity is the conduct of a techno-demonstration farm. This sub-

activity will showcase the technology application to the targeted crops and also
determine the expenses of said specific farm activities in establishing and operating
of such activity. This will also serve as the venue for training, coaching, and
mentoring of the farmer technicians and other beneficiaries.

The 6th Sub-activity involves in on-farm teaching and transferring of technology

for all beneficiaries or Coaching and Mentoring. This also can be done by bringing
farmer-trainees to the techno-demo farm area. In such manner they can have a first-
hand learning experience which they can later on apply to their own farms.

Likewise, an exit strategy will also be prepared by FREEDOM, Inc. and discussed
with the ARBOs for proper coordination. The exit strategy will focus on the
sustainability of the project and how the training programs will help other ARBOs
who were not part of the ARCCESS Project. The sustainability of the respective Lead
ARBOs farming activities is the main focus of the training activities. A gradual phase
out plan by FREEDOM, Inc. will be undertaken in order to allow a smooth transition
to the Lead ARBO’s final take over and continuity of the project with other ARC
Communities.

Activity 3 –Post Training and Project Completion Activity

Post Training and Project Completion Activity

• Certificates of completion for farmer participants per sub-
project.
• Commitment document to echo learnings to other farmers
within in ARC.
• Distribution of twelve (12) hardbound copies of the
following:
 Assessment Reports, Business Plan, Farm
Production Plan, CSF Business Plan
 Training Modules, Manuals and Reports
SSubmission of Final Report to DAR PAPCU
Issuance of Acceptance Certificates by DAR

The last set of activities will comprise all the necessary documentation and final
reportorial duties of the PSP provider. The set of reports will summarize all the
activities that were undertaken by the PSP provider during the year-long
engagement. The reports shall detail the activities implemented, the resulting
outputs as well as detailing the process of achieving these outputs.

The reports should include: 1) Board of Directors of the Lead ARBO resolution
approving the use of the CSF Management Plan, CSF Farm Production Management
Plan, CSF Manual of Procedures and Guidelines, Training Manual & Crop Techno
 Guides; 2) General Assembly ratification of the action of the board for the adoption
and the implementation of manuals and plans mentioned earlier; 3) Reports on the
identified 25 ARB/NON-ARB farmers for the Training of Trainers (TOT), who
participated in the training programs; 4) Reports on the process involved in the
preparation of the CSF Management Plan, CSF Manual of Procedures and Guidelines,
Farm Production Management Plan and Training Needs Analysis (TNA) prior to the
formal training

IV. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FRAMEWORK

The performance measurement framework indicates the expected results and

output, project indicators and the proposed targets that the Consultant will
undertake the ARCCESS Project. The proposed targets define the deliverables for
each activity undertaken that the Consultant will deliver to the ARBOs and to the
DAR PAPCO. The ARCCESS Project deliverables cover the trainings undertaken and
completed, operational farm production manuals, CSF implementation and
management reports, CSF Manuals, crop production techno guides, trainings of agri-
technology conducted and completed and training modules and manuals developed.

Expected Results Indicators (Proposed) Timeframe

Outputs
1. ARBO profiled and inception Number of ARBO profiled 2 weeks
report Project Implementation Plan
Project Management
Approach (include name of
person assigned per sub-
project)

2. Common Service Facilities Number of CSF Business 1 month

(CSF) Business Plan and and Management Plan
Management Plan developed and
implemented
Number of CSF Manual
developed and
implemented
Mentoring and Coaching
Report
Number of Manuals (5)
 3. Agri Development Needs Number of Training Needs 1 month
Assessment( Training and and Analysis
non-training Design Number of training and non-
Developed/Formulated ) training design
implementation plan
developed and
implemented

4. Agriculture Technology Number of Agri-tech Training 3 months

Training Implemented conducted
(based on TNA result) Number of manuals
developed, implemented
and adopted by farmers

5. Techno-Demo-farms Number of demo farms 6 months

implemented with in-puts developed
Number of Farm Production
Management Plan
Mentoring and coaching
report

6. Techno-guides on Crop No. of techno guides 1 week

Production developed and distributed
No. of trainings on techno-
guides implementation

7. Terminal Report Terminal Report Submitted Within 15 days after the end of
- First Draft the implementation
- Final Report

V. REPORTING ARRANGEMENT

FREEDOM, Inc. as the Consultant will provide periodic reports as called for in this
project to DAR. The reports will provide an up to date status of the project’s
implementation as well as potential challenges and opportunities that the
Consultant may encounter in the course of its work. The reports that need to be
submitted as stipulated in the contract are shown on TPF 8 Activity (Work)
Schedule. FREEDOM, Inc. will submit the following reports for each of the
development area / training module:

1. Inception Report – This report covers the needs assessment of the Lead
ARBOs, assessment of the design of the ARCCESS Sub Project with the
corresponding action plan in attaining the target results. On site
consultations with the Lead ARBOs with the presence of the MARO and DF
representing the Provincial DAR Office. These will validate the project
 methodology and approach on the AES Project. FREEDOM, Inc. will also
obtain the necessary signed resolution of the Lead ARBOs accepting the
adjusted work plan, which is integrated in the inception report. A manning
report for the project will also be included as part of the inception report.
This will be submitted not later than 20 calendar days after the signing of the
contract and the issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

2. Process Documentation – This phase will cover the documentation of the

activities and outputs, as follows:

a. Common Service Facilities (CSF) Business Plan and Management Plan

b. Agri Development Needs Assessment( Training and non-training Design
Developed/Formulated )
c. Agriculture Technology Training Implemented (based on TNA result)
d. Demo-farms implemented with in-puts (Documentation of Material
inputs, technologies adopted and applied, and results of the demo farm)
e. Techno-guides on Crop Production
f. Mentoring and coaching sessions undertaken. The coaching and
mentoring will include good practices, challenges and
opportunities as well as insights to the training activities and their
impact to the Lead ARBO.

3. Terminal Report – The report covers the results of the trainings for the entire
project. This will be submitted within 15 days after the end of the project
implementation. Prior to the submission of the Terminal Report a Draft
Terminal Report will be submitted for review prior to finalizing these. These
will take into account the comments and resolutions to issues and challenges
of implementing the AES Project for the Sub-Projects.