PARTICIPATORY MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS A METHODOLOGY IN GENERATING PROJECT OUTCOMES: THE CASE OF CASREN PHILIPPINES* Fe L. Porciuncula, Edgar A.

Orden, Edwin C. Villar, Sonny N. Domingo, Marilyn D. Lilagan, and Richard Dulay ABSTRACT Participatory monitoring and evaluation (PME) is important wherein the project implementers with farmer-partners, development workers, local government units, and other stakeholders commit to collaboratively work together in generating project outcomes. As used in the Crop-animal Systems Research Network project in the Philippines (CASREN Philippines), PME was set to better account for stakeholders feedback and project performance. Socioeconomic and crop-livestock data were regularly monitored among farmer-partners from project covered areas in Pangasinan. Participatory exchanges through informal interactions, experience sharing and focus group discussions were used along with participatory tools such as spillover maps, season long monitoring form, meta cards, bio-resource flow, technology and benefits ranking and cropping pattern timelines. The project outcomes generated through PME point to increased technology adoption among farmers in the project sites leading to enhanced crop-livestock productivity. Increased economic benefits were derived as well as positive changes in the acquired knowledge, attitude and practices of farmers and development workers. The stakeholders active participation in the project policy effort provided positive results in terms of changes in organizational structure and institutionalizing CASREN modalities within local governments units. Participatory monitoring and evaluation was found to be a reflective, action oriented and learning process providing stakeholders with the opportunity to reflect on the projects progress and obstacles; generating outcomes that result in the application of lessons learned and leads to improvements and corrective actions; and helped build capacities of stakeholders enabling them to better understand their environment and make changes by themselves on those that they have discovered and advocated. KEYWORDS: CASREN, crop-livestock productivity, participatory monitoring and evaluation, participatory tools and techniques

2 . INTRODUCTION Crop-animal Systems Research Network (CASREN) Philippines as a research and development project works with farmers, extension/development workers, researchers and local government units (LGUs) to increase productivity of crop-livestock systems in rainfed areas through the introduction of basket of technologies. CASREN Philippines links/networks with other projects and relevant institutions/entities to augment its resource limitations; for information exchange; to complement local development efforts and forge partnership. CASREN Phase I started in 1999 until 2001 in Umingan, Pangasinan and CASREN Phase II commenced in 2002 and was completed in 2004 in Balungao, Sta. Barbara and Calasiao, Pangasinan. The concept of participation in development and in monitoring and evaluation faced skepticism in academic and scientific circles, being branded as merely faddish, esoteric and unscientific. The perception however is changing and the CASREN project ventured in participatory development as it very much fitted the Philippine governments thrust to alleviate poverty, empower the poor and local institutions through greater participation. A great deal of attention has been paid by CASREN Philippines in increasing peoples participation in the development process using participatory approaches. This is designed to maximize stakeholder inputs as well as ensure outcomes that meet the identified goals and needs of the farmerbeneficiaries, development workers and local government units. Participatory monitoring and evaluation becomes particularly important in generating project outcomes wherein the project implementers in tandem with farmer-partners and development workers commit to work together to decide on the monitoring and evaluation focus, how it should be conducted, how findings will be used and what actions/outcomes will result. It is the objective of this research to generate and assess short term project outcomes using PME and reflect on the PME methodology used. METHODOLOGY Conceptual Framework It is recognized that crops and animals integration represents a major avenue for intensification of food production, improved productivity and livelihood (Fig. 1). This is particularly true where about majority of animals are found in resource poor farms of rainfed areas, mainly associated with cropping activities (Devendra et al., 1997). Both crops and animals fulfill a complementary role to meet subsistence needs, provide a surplus for the market and their interaction through food, feed, nutrient cycling and draft provide for the sustainability of the household farming system. The framework also acknowledges that the contribution of crop-animal systems towards greater productivity depends on how farmers, communities, support structures and institutions respond to new technological opportunities apart from the physical, biological, and socio-

3 economic environment which they operate. Armed with a basket of technological interventions, CASREN focuses on capability building among smallhold crop-livestock farmers, development/extension workers and researchers; participation; forging partnership through networking/linkaging; and policy advocacy. Consequently, a strong participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanism is in place so as to better account for stakeholders feedback and project performance/outcomes.

Fig. 1. Conceptual framework of the research. CASREN Project Sites From its initial base in Umingan, Pangasinan, CASREN expanded to cover nearby municipalities belonging to the same rainfed agro-ecological zone, such as Balungao, Calasiao and Sta. Barbara. Common to the areas is the importance of livestock, and the limitations typical to rainfed areas. Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Methodology A stronger participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanism was put in place to better account for stakeholder feedback and project performance/outcomes. Success indicators including socio-economic and other crop-livestock data were regularly monitored among 24 farmer-partners and adoptors from project covered areas. A group of non-adoptors were also monitored to compare goat production performance with that of CASREN farmer adoptors. Monitoring and evaluation activities were designed to ensure and facilitate active participation of farmer-partners, development workers, local government officials and the project team composed of a multidisciplinary working group (animal production specialist, socioeconomist, animal nutritionist, and crops and farming system specialist). Workshops, project

4 meetings, community meetings, interviews and informal discussions were held to provide opportunities for those involved to air their views, find out the range of opinions expressed, the variety of perspectives and the many deep insights gained that helped enriched the evaluation process and its outcomes. Constantly linking it to the project decision-making structure was done as a valuable way of improving project performance during implementation. Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation Workable participatory tools and techniques were used in the process such as focus group discussion, participatory needs/problem assessment, semi-structured interviews, use of season long monitoring form, experience sharing, bio-resource flow, meta cards, benefits ranking, cropping pattern timelines and spillover maps. These tools and techniques generated large amount of rich qualitative and quantitative data which were assessed, analyzed and transformed into tables, graphs, maps and timelines whenever applicable. Data provided by both individuals and groups and generated in workshops and community meetings were constantly fedback to them for collective analysis and interpretation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Generating Needs/Problems through Participatory Needs/Problem Assessment From semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and informal interactions with farmers, it was gathered that the major problems besetting livestock production in the target zone were still inadequate sources of feed, diseases during rainy season, high mortality, scouring, declining productivity, and unmet animal potential (stunting, and late sexual maturity). The technological interventions CASREN needed to espouse therefore tried to at least mitigate these aired problems. As seen in Fig. 2 the perceived solutions by farmers became the major modalities/points of action by which CASREN Philippines conveyed its interventions. Technological know-how was delivered/transferred through print media, training and seminars, and intensified technical support. The need for finances and material support were handled through resource mobilization within communities and the local government. Linking with relevant programs and projects also accounted for material support to the concerted effort. The CASREN interventions were then tailored to account for farmers aired needs and perceived solutions. The above are indications that when project stakeholders were given the opportunity to reflect and analyze their problems and needs, they often propose solutions useful in generating project interventions. Their sense of ownership was enhanced and were likely to make changes for their own benefit.

Productive Crop-Animal Systems

Fig. 2. CASREN interventions in relation to farmers aired needs and perceived solutions. Determining/Assessing Technology Adoption by Farmers In generating the spillover (radiation) maps (Fig. 3), key farmers and the development workers identified the farmer adoptors in their respective barangays. They drew the maps and located in it the farmers whom they knew and interacted with, who adopted the CASREN introduced technologies. From these maps, tabular and graphical representation of technology adoption were done as seen in Table 1 and Fig. 4.

. Fig. 3. Sample spillover maps from two barangays in Balungao, Pangasinan. As seen from Table 1 and Fig. 4, technology utilization/adoption among smallhold croplivestock farmers in the covered sites had gained momentum through the years with varying responses to technology promotion and capability building activities of CASREN Philippines. Some sites proved easy in terms of diffusing recommended technologies, while others required greater effort on the part of team members. A key element in the facilitation of efforts is support from local officials, extension workers and key farmers. The slow acceptance of project interventions in some sites was also partly a result of the voluntary process adopted by the project team. CASREN Philippines avoided the usual dole-out scheme of technology adoption. No financial assistance was provided to farmer adoptors, rather they were empowered through capacity building. As seen in the same Table and Fig. the number of farmer adoptors and technology interventions utilized/adopted by them increased considerably from 2002-2004. In 2002, a total of 102 farmers with 390 specific technology adoptions have been documented in the pilot (Umingan) and Phase II expansion sites. It increased in 2003 with the addition of 123 farmer adoptors testing 939 specific technology options. A tremendous increase was noted in 2004 with 252 new farmers adopting 1078 specific technology mixes.
Table 1. Technology utilization/adoption in CASREN sites, 2002-2004. Items Number of technology interventions Utilized/adopted by farmers Number of farmer adoptors Umingan Balungao Calasiao Sta. Barbara Laoac 2002 390 102 7 71 14 10 2003 939 123 15 69 9 30 Year 2004 1078 252 38 107 36 59 12 Total 2407 477 60 (13%) 247(52%) 59 (12%) 99 (21%) 12 (3%)

7 Fig. 4. Number of farmer adoptors by year by municipality in CASREN sites. Among the covered sites, Balungao noticeably proved to be the most dynamic in terms of adopting recommended interventions for crop-livestock productivity. With a total of 247 participating farmers, the municipality comprised more than half (52%) of the total CASREN farmer-partners as of 2004. Technology adoption in the municipalities of Calasiao (12%) and Sta. Barbara (21%) have also increased through the years. There were also documented farmer adoptors in Laoac, Pangasinan (12 (3%) adoptors) and other municipalities, showing the potential for greater and wider adoption of technologies espoused by CASREN. Technologies adopted ranged from housing, stall feeding, endoparasite control, feeds and feeding for goat and cattle, use of improved forage/multipurpose tree species, genetic upgrading and food-feed system. The involvement of stakeholders in determining technology adoption is increasingly important giving more validity to the data gathered. Their own assessment of the level of adoption in their respective communities proved to be an important input in taking immediate actions and activities to increase the number of farmer adoptors. The mapping (spillover maps) done provided insights into the interactions or lack thereof among farmers and development workers. Determining/Assessing Livestock Production Performance/Economic Benefits Implemented under the projects livestock component included the establishment of technology demonstrations, application of identified feeding and management interventions, and technical field support. For Phase II, a major part of CASREN efforts focused on goat-crop systems. This was because the commodity fitted the production systems of most smallhold farmers in covered areas and many chose it as the preferred intervention. A season long monitoring form (SLMF) was designed and used by identified farmerpartners to facilitate an efficient participatory monitoring and evaluation of livestock production performance and the economic benefits derived. Success indicators including socio-economic and other crop-livestock data were regularly monitored among 24 farmer-partners and adoptors from project covered areas. A group of non-adoptors were also monitored to compare goat production performance with that of CASREN farmer adoptors. CASREN interventions to increase productivity in goat production included proper animal husbandry, better feeding practices, partial/complete confinement and genetic upgrading. The espoused technologies proved potent in improving the livelihood of farmers as many expressed satisfaction and appreciation over the positive outcomes. The SMLF generated the data used in Fig. 5 which shows the relatively greater average animal holding of farmer-adoptors compared with non-adoptors. An increasing trend in goat inventory was observed among adoptors. CASREN farmer-partners were encouraged to maintain more animals. The major reason cited for this was the attractive returns from keeping

8 genetically superior and better quality animals as a result of adopting various technology options, particularly upgrading and stall feeding. Interestingly, while the number of animals increased among adoptors during the rainy season (3rd quarter), there was a decline in animal inventory among non-adoptors. This trend was attributed to the lower mortality rate recorded at 10.4% among adoptors.

Fig. 5. Average goat inventory of CASREN farmer adoptors and nonadoptors in Pangasinan (by quarter, 2002-2004).

Table 2 was also generated using the SLMF. The table indicates that numerically, heavier kids were born among does of farmer adoptors, but this was not significantly higher than kids of non adoptors (1.98 vs 1.47 kg). However, the positive effect of upgrading technology resulted in 70.48 g ADG among F1 crosses of adoptors, which is higher (P>0.05) than the 50.76 g ADG of kids of non-adoptors. Genetic gain among animals was largely expressed in the body weight of animals. Pre-weaning mortality of kids beyond 3 months of age was lower by 6% (P<0.05) among farmer -partners. Kid mortality during this stage could be due mainly to herd management rather than maternally. Adequate and permanent housing provided ideal condition for both the dam and offsprings greatly ensuring the survival of the kids. Moreover, feeding with locally available fodder trees and mineral supplementation using urea-molasses mineral lick improved the nutritional status of the dam resulting to better nourishment of the kids during suckling stage.

Table 2. Performance of goats in CASREN sites in Pangasinan, March 2003 to March 2004. Parameters Birth weight (kg) Average daily gain (gm) Age at first kidding (days) Kidding interval (days) Kidding size Weaning rate (%) Pre-weaning mortality (%) Type of birth Singletons Twins Triplets Fecal egg count (EPG1)
1

Adopters 1.98 70.48 339.60 296.10 1.52 89.56 10.40 11.64 79.18 8.75 87.05

Non-adopters 1.47 50.76 327.01 289.80 1.98 83.34 16.66 10.75 83.89 5.36 137.50

SEM 0.01 1.12 0.35 0.28 0.05 0.15 0.06 0.12 1.53 0.01 13.22

Sig ns * ns ns ns * * ns ns ns ns

EPG egg per gram; ns not significant (P <0.05); * Significant (P >0.05)

The results indeed showed that the CASREN-technological interventions significantly improved the growth performance of upgrades. Genetic improvement through introduction of exotic blood lines and appropriate feeding management undoubtedly resulted to faster growth rate. As a consequence, animals reached market weight at shorter time with lesser production inputs leading to higher income for farmers. Table 3 was also generated using the SLMF and it can be gleaned that in terms of economic benefits, positive changes were readily observed in the income and livelihood of cooperating farmers. Citing the example of CASREN farmer-partner Joel Fernandez, the vision of greater crop-livestock integration and productivity could be had. Farming a small piece of land, he has an estimated net income of around PhP156,497.50 (Table 3). The surprising part here was that the contribution from livestock was 72.0% as compared to only 28.0% from crops. In an area where livestock production is merely regarded as a secondary farming activity, this was a much-welcomed development. Aside from Joel Fernandez, data from 24 regularly monitored CASREN farmers revealed improved crop-livestock productivity in their respective farms. Results of the data from the 24 farmers revealed that while income contribution per farm from crops remained higher at an average of 51% valued at P31,000.00, contribution from livestock generally increased from a mere 10-15% in 1999 to an average of 49% in 2004 with an estimated net value of P29,000.00. As reflected in the general objective of CASREN, the 49% livestock contribution surpassed the targeted 30% income contribution from livestock. This is tangible proof of the potential of livestock-based enterprises as a major source of income of the farm family.

10 The above results showed that participatory approach in monitoring and evaluation can provide valid quantitative data useful in assessing project outcomes. The participatory approach also fulfilled the purpose of developing capacity and enhanced responsibility of stakeholders in monitoring, record keeping and drawing remedial/corrective actions to improve project implementation. Table 3. Estimated income of farmer-partner Joel Fernandez, average of four seasons (June 2002-May 2004).

Generating Other Project Outcomes As CASREN Philippines innovates on participatory monitoring and evaluation, it also utilized other tools and techniques to generate project outcomes such as focus group discussion, the bio-resource flow, cropping pattern timelines, benefits ranking and experience sharing. Learning and Practicing the Essence of Systems Approach - Evident now among CASREN technology adoptors is the more dynamic bio-resource flow (Fig.6) in their farms. Compared to farm operations before the project made its presence felt, activities in most farms were now more varied and productive. Farmers have learned the essence of the systems approach and had applied the concept in their respective farms. The progression is not exact as the adoption process is continuously evolving and varies on a case-to-case basis. But the most important aspect in this intervention is that local resources are being optimally utilized may they be from crops or livestockthereby providing greater returns/benefits to the farm

11 family.

Fig. 6. A productive and dynamic bio-resource flow of a CASREN farmer adoptor. Enhanced and more varied production systems were apparent among CASREN farmer partners with most of them diversifying crop production operations to complement livestock raising. Whereas most farmers before were contented on having a single cropping of rice, now they make fuller use of their land resource by planting dual-purpose crops and forages (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7. A more varied cropping pattern timeline of a CASREN farmer-adoptor. Changes in Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Benefits- Participatory evaluation was conducted through focused group discussions (FGD) to gain insights on the changes in the knowledge, attitude, practices and benefits derived by farmer adoptors and development workers through association with the project. The activity also served as an important avenue to assess the progress of project activities and review concerns given the whole project package-- its

12 objectives, interventions and management-- and the perception and actual reception of the farming community. FGD with Farmers. Results of the evaluation showed farmers appreciating the project package as a whole particularly its participatory nature and its focus on capability building. There was consensus on the benefits derived from adopting the chosen interventions and as farmer-partners of CASREN. At the individual level (Fig. 8) , the qualified benefits indicated an enriched farmers internal competence as shown by the positive changes on the knowledge gained, the interventions practiced and skills acquired as well as broadened social competence. At the livelihood/household level, the articulated benefits point to improvement in animal productivity and enhanced livelihood. At the community level, the benefits were both social and economic in nature. The community gained recognition with the attention generated from a multitude of visitors. More interests became apparent from among the other members of the community, especially upon witnessing the advantages of better animal management, housing and upgrading. There is now a steadily increasing number of farmers engaged in goat raising as livelihoodwilling to spread the word and evangelize to other farmers. As one of the outputs of the participatory evaluation, benefits ranking was done among 39 farmer-partners in the CASREN covered sites. The farmers ranked the derived benefits according to perceived importance (Table 5) which indicate outcomes that meet the identified objectives of the project and needs of the clients.

Fig. 8. Articulated benefits derived at different levels.

13 Fig. 8. Articulated benefits derived by farmer-adoptors.

Table 5. Ranking of articulated benefits by farmer-adoptors in CASREN sites (n=39).

FGD with Development Workers. The development/extension workers involved in the project conveyed numerous benefits in terms of knowledge, skills, attitude and practice (Fig. 9). There was overwhelming consensus that the presence of CASREN in their municipalities truly had positive impacts on them as individuals and on their respective organizations and communities. Aside from the additional knowledge they gained, development workers were empowered as their individual skills were enhanced. It was aired that through dealings with CASREN, their self-confidence was boosted making them more effective as facilitators, resource persons, project implementors, community organizers, and problem solvers. A case in point was the success achieved by Ms Marilyn Lilagan, a development worker of Balungao Pangasinan and a member of the CASREN local working group. Through her involvement with CASREN and another project of ILRI, she was awarded the Philippine Society of Animal Science Outstanding Animal Technologist in 2003. This award and her outstanding record of service, paved the way for her selection to the National Small Ruminant Board being spearheaded by the Livestock Development Council of the Department of Agriculture. She is now also a sought after resource person on goat production, not only in Pangasinan but also in other regions. Her recognition and involvement assures the sustainability of the learnings from CASREN, which she was able to

14 share with policy-makers (SR Board), crop-livestock farmers and other development workers.

Articulated Benefits Derived By Development Workers

INDIVIDUAL LEVEL ENHANCED INDIVIDUAL SKILLS Better understanding/gained more knowledge Boosted self confidence making them more effective resource persons, implementors, community organizers and problem solvers Recognition and involvement enabled them to share their learnings to policy makers, farmersand other extension workers

COMMUNITY LEVEL CASREN covered communities gained recognition as they become model villages for espoused crop-livestock interventions More dynamic technology transfer and adoption Promotion of enterprise development zeroing on the potentials of livestock as major source of income Organization of smallhold farmers into a raisers association

ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL Changes in organizational structure Actualization of material and financial support within LGUs alleviating the agelong bias to crops in terms of resource programming Local officials passing resolutions in support of more systematic approaches in extension and governance

Fig. 9. Articulated benefits derived by development workers. The development workers were also grateful about the developments in their respective areas of responsibility. CASREN covered communities gained recognition, as they became model villages for espoused crop-livestock systems interventions. Technology transfer activities/processes were also more dynamic as communities became interested and more open to adoption of interventions. Enterprise development was further promoted as farmers were sensitized on the potentials of livestock as major source of income. Smallhold farmers were also organized through raisers associations giving them greater leverage in marketing their produce and asserting their interests. Making the evaluation participatory in the above case, recognized the wide range of knowledge, values and concerns of the farmers and development workers as stakeholders with due consideration of the positive impacts on them as individuals and on their respective organizations and communities. It was also an efficient way to get much range and depth of information in a relatively short time which can convey key outcomes of the project. It also helped corroborate other sources of data and information and provided a more personal insight into projects achievements and outcomes.

15 Involving LGUs, Farmers and other Stakeholders in Grounding Policy-related Efforts CASREN Philippines succeeded in grounding its policy-related effort (Fig.10). A study on the policy environment affecting smallhold crop-livestock farmers within covered sites was completed in 2003. Entitled Enhancing the Prospects of Backyard Livestock Production Among Lowland Rainfed Areas in the Philippines via Selection of Appropriate Policy Interventions, the policy study proved that much could be done to improve the support and extension delivery structures within local governments. Results of the policy study showed that the livestock sector had been greatly neglected in terms of resource allocation and prioritisation. Budgets for development programs/projects were greatly lopsided in favor of the crops sector. Support to livestock was also lacking even with manpower complement and policy support through local ordinances and resolutions. The study concluded that the poor local government support to livestock as a development commodity may have subsequently resulted to the marginalization of the sector and possibly to the limited capacity of farmers to optimize the potential of livestock as livelihood or major source of income for the farm family. The result of the policy study was all what the CASREN Philippine team needed to launch a policy advocacy campaign. Issues raised and documented from surveys and local government documents became the jump-off point for talks with local officials, farmers and other stakeholders. CASREN Philippines conducted policy fora with local officials and stakeholders. Results of the policy study and the proposed policy interventions were discussed with local and regional executives. Farmers were also briefed on the policy environment affecting crop-livestock productivity within their areas. One on one meetings and follow-up discussions with key people in the covered municipalities were also done to obtain/bring about desired responses. To further support the advocacy effort, a policy brief was prepared and disseminated to local policy makers of LGUs.

Fig. 10. CASREN policy-related efforts.

16 Fig. 10. CASREN policy-related efforts. The vigorous policy advocacy of CASREN team members resulted to more support for livestock concerns. Material and financial support were actualized within local governments, alleviating the age-long bias to crops in terms of resource programming. CASREN also manifested influence in terms of changes in organizational structures and at the program level with local officials passing resolutions in support of more systematic approaches in extension and governance. This also in effect brings CASREN to the vision of forging partnership and mainstreaming and institutionalizing its modalities within local governments and agencies. A program-based structure designed to give due importance to livestock as a development commodity was presented to the policy governing bodies of targeted local governments. The proposed policy intervention was put together through dialogues and consultations with local leaders. Results had been positive and encouraging. With technical input from the CASREN team, the municipal agricultural offices of Balungao and Sta Barbara, Pangasinan came-up with program-based structures acceptable and appropriate to their local setup, an indication of the LGUs enriched analysis and understanding of their situation and responding thru a suitable and timely action. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION As CASREN Philippines moved away from top to bottom decision making and espoused the use of participatory approaches, it is in the right track in undertaking a participatory monitoring and evaluation to ensure greater participation of stakeholders. Using participatory monitoring and evaluation and linking it to the project decision-making structure is a valuable way of improving project performance during implementation. Moreover, the participatory methodology and the tools and techniques used therein had been proven to be workable and viable in generating project outcomes in terms of the identified needs/problems; technology adoption; livestock production performance; economic benefits derived; changes in knowledge, attitude, practices and benefits; and support for livestock concerns thru policy intervention. The participatory needs/problem assessment provided the stakeholders with the ability and confidence to reflect and analyze their problems and needs, exploring alternative solutions useful in generating project interventions. Their sense of ownership was enhanced and were likely to make changes for their own benefit. In terms of technology adoption, the developed CASREN basket of technological interventions opened several options to farmers and provided them liberty to choose the technologies most suited to their needs and matched their resources. Technology adoption in covered areas increased through the years and resulted to improved crop-livestock productivity. The involvement of stakeholders in determining technology adoption is increasingly important giving more validity to the data gathered. Their own assessment of the level of adoption in their respective communities proved to be an important input in taking immediate actions and activities to increase the number of farmer adoptors. The mapping (spillover maps)

17 done provided insights into the interactions or lack thereof among farmers and development workers. The participatory approach in monitoring and evaluation particularly in determining/assessing livestock production performance and economic benefits derived using the season long monitoring form (SLMF), provided valid quantitative data useful in assessing project outcomes. The participatory approach also fulfilled the purpose of developing capacity and enhanced responsibility of stakeholders in monitoring, record keeping and drawing remedial/corrective actions to improve project implementation. As such, results showed that whereas before, the productivity options focused heavily on crops, farmers now recognized the potential and significance of livestock and food-feed systems for enhanced livelihood and enterprise. The results indeed show that the CASREN-technological interventions significantly improved the growth performance of livestock and farmers generating increased economic benefits. Undertaking the participatory evaluation with farmers and development workers, recognized the wide range of knowledge, values and concerns of the stakeholders with due consideration of the positive impacts on them as individuals and on their respective organizations and communities. It also helped corroborate other sources of data and information and provided a more personal insight into projects achievements and outcomes. At the individual level, the qualified benefits indicated an enriched farmers internal competence as shown by the positive changes on the knowledge gained, the interventions practiced and skills acquired as well as broadened social competence. At the livelihood/household level, the articulated benefits point to improvement in animal productivity and enhanced livelihood. At the community level, the benefits were both social and economic in nature. The community gained recognition with the attention generated from a multitude of visitors. More interests became apparent from among the other members of the community, especially upon witnessing the advantages of better animal management, housing and upgrading. There is now a steadily increasing number of farmers engaged in goat raising as livelihood willing to spread the word and evangelize to other farmers. To development workers, CASREN Philippines was able to build up their capacities enabling them to be more effective facilitators, resource persons, project implementers, resource persons, community organizers and problem solvers. These best approximate strengthened capacities and increasing level of decision making and action among development workers which are usually very necessary in implementing and managing programs/projects relevant in the pursuit of development. The vigorous policy advocacy of CASREN team members in collaboration with project stakeholders, resulted to more support for livestock concerns. Material and financial support were actualized within local governments, alleviating the age-long bias to crops in terms of resource programming. CASREN also manifested influence in terms of changes in organizational structures and at the program level with local officials passing resolutions in support of more systematic approaches in extension and governance. The stakeholders active participation in the CASREN policy effort provided positive

18 results and indicated the LGUs enriched analysis and understanding of their situation and responding thru a suitable and timely action. In summary, the project outcomes generated through participatory monitoring and evaluation point to increased technology adoption among farmers in the project sites leading to enhanced crop-livestock productivity. Increased economic benefits were derived as well as positive changes in the acquired knowledge, attitude, practices and benefits of farmers and development workers. The stakeholders active participation in the CASREN policy effort provided positive results in terms of changes in organizational structures and support towards a more systematic approach in extension and governance. This also in effect brings CASREN to its vision of forging partnership and mainstreaming and institutionalizing its modalities within local governments units. The project outcomes indeed meet the identified goals/objectives of CASREN Philippines and needs of the stakeholders. Beyond the project outcomes, participatory monitoring and evaluation was found to be a reflective, action oriented and learning process providing stakeholders with the opportunity to reflect on the projects progress and obstacles; generating outcomes that result in the application of lessons learned and leads to improvements and corrective actions; and helped build capacities of stakeholders enabling them to better understand their environment and make changes by themselves on those that they have discovered and advocated. Monitoring and evaluation being undertaken in a more participatory and collaborative environment where stakeholders play a much greater role should thus be integrated in project design and implementation. The use of participatory approaches should not be an additional burden but an integral part of a project or program's operations and must be consciously linked to project decision making. While the participatory tools and techniques used herein proved useful in the generation of rich data that helped enriched data collection and interpretation, one should be guided that there is no one model or recipe or tools/techniques for participatory monitoring and evaluation since each depend of course on the nature of the project, the context and the stakeholders. The use of participatory monitoring and evaluation should not also rule out the use of quantitative methods. It will be beneficial to combine various methods and approaches and it must be the responsibility of the experienced participatory evaluation facilitator to determine the most appropriate monitoring and evaluation methodology.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Sincere gratitude are due to ADB, ILRI, PCARRD, CLSU, DA, LGUs in Pangasinan and the many other institutions for their financial, technical, administrative, and unwavering support to the project. Immense gratitude are also due to our farmer partners, development workers, local government officials, the project team, and many others whose commitment, receptiveness and hard work deserve commendation. REFERENCES
AUBEL, J. 1993. Participatory program evaluation: A manual for involving program stakeholders in the evaluation process. Catholic Relief Services. Senegal, Africa. DEVENDRA, A., THOMAS, D.,JABBAR, MA., AND KUDO, H. 1997. Improvement of livestock in crop-animal systems in rainfed agro-ecological zones of South-east Asia. ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya. FEUERSTEIN, M. 1986. Partners in evaluation: Evaluating development and community with participants. McMillan Education Limited. London. programmes

PEZO, DA. (ed.) 2002. Research approaches and methods for improving crop-animal systems in South-East Asia. ILRI Training Manual 5. ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya. VARGAS, D.S., et al. 2003. Enhancing the prospects of backyard livestock production among lowland rainfed areas in the Philippines via selection of policy intervention. Terminal Report of ILRI funded project. ILRI, Los Banos, Laguna. VILLAR, E.C.,DOMINGO, S.N., PORCIUNCULA, F.L., ORDEN, E. A., et al. 2001 and 2004. Terminal Report: CASREN in Philippine lowland rainfed areas. PCARRD, Los Banos, Laguna.