評価調査結果要約表（英文）1. Outline of the ProjectCountry: The Republic of thePhilippines
Sector: Agriculture/Agriculture andFisheries
Division in charge:
Arid and Semi-Arid Farming Area
Division,RuralDevelopment
Department

Project title: Season-Long Rice Farming Extension Training
Cooperation scheme：The Third Country Training Program
Total cost (final figure):
264 million Japanese Yen

Implementing agency: IRRI (International Rice Research Institute)with PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute)
Period ofcooperation

2011.5~2015.3

Supporting organization in Japan:
Other related cooperation:

N.A.

CARD (see below)

1-1. Background of the Project
The Project is the capacity development of extension officers, junior researchers and research technicians,
who are the core promoters of rice production in Africa; it also is a part of the Coalition for African Rice
Development (CARD) initiatives launched in 2008 by the commitment of JICA and the Alliance for Green
Revolution in Africa (AGRA). JICA entrusted implementation of the training to IRRI, the worldwide
authority of rice research located in the Philippines and a member of the CARD Steering Committee. As for
implementation of the extension officer course, IRRI collaborated with PhilRice, a long-term development
partner of JICA since 1990 and has the capacity for a season-long training. The Project aimed to build thecapacity of extension officers, junior researchers and research technicians in the 23 CARD partner countries
through JICA’s third country training scheme.
1-2. Project Overview(1) Overall Goal

1. The model of extension and the techniques learnt in the Philippines are being utilized in farmer
support activities in the target African countries.
2. Production knowledge from the courses is available nationally in each country.
3. Networks on the human resource development on rice production, aiming at bridging
research-extension, have been created among participants as well as among IRRI, JICA and Africa based
rice development agencies.
(2) Project Purpose
Capacity of extension officer, young researcher and research technician participants to develop and extend
rice production is improved.
(3) Outputs
1. Participants successfully complete the season-long extension training course (SLRT) at PhilRice.
2. Participants successfully complete the 3-week young researcher course.
3. Participants successfully complete the 3-week researcher technician course.
(4) Inputs (final figures)xvJapanese side:
The total amount of financial inputs was 264 million yen; out of which 254 million yen was the cost paid
to IRRI.
IRRI and PhilRice:The Project was implemented by IRRI, where a total of six persons were assigned as main Project
implementers. The training courses for young researchers and research technician were separately conductedby IRRI, and SLRT for extension agronomists was planned and implemented by IRRI and PhilRice.
Cost covered by IRRI:
All costs were covered by the Japanese side except for the followings:-The traveling costs of the IRRI Project leader for one inception visit and one follow-up visit both toAfrica-The costs of five African trainees for the SLRT and the technician course1-A total of US$ 24,000 to provide $400 each to 60 extension officer ex-trainees for the implementationof their action plans.

2. Evaluation TeamMr. Shiro NABEYAJICA teammembers

Ms. Fumiko Iseki
Ms. Kumiko
OGAWA
Ms. Judie Ann G.
MilitarTiming of evaluation

Senior Assistant Director,
Department, JICA (Leader)

RuralDevelopment

Researcher, Global Link Management (EvaluationAnalysis)
Project Formulation Advisor, Poverty Reduction
Section
Human Security Group, JICA Philippines OfficeSenior Program Officer
Human Security Group, JICA Philippines Office

Aug. 3 ~ Aug. 15, 2014

Type of evaluation：Terminal evaluation

3. Result of Evaluation
3-1.

Project Performance(1) Outputs
Output-1: Participants successfully complete the season-long extension training course at PhilRice.
The Output 1 was mostly achieved except for the gender balance. 63 Africans from 14 countries
participated in SLRT, which is equivalent to 97% of the target number. As for the countries, JICA’s target
was 13 mainly Anglophone CARD countries. On top of that, two trainees from IRRI Burundi participatedwith IRRI funding. With the addition of Burundi, the number of countries became 14, exceeding the targeted.
As for the gender balance, the overall average over the three years was 32%2.
Output-2: Participants successfully complete the 3-week young researcher course.
The Output 2 was mostly achieved except for the gender balance. 38 African trainees participated in theyoung researcher course, equivalent to 83% of the target number. While SLRT was mainly for Anglophonecountries, as the young researcher course in 2013 was catered for Francophone countries, the total number of12

Two from Burundi in the SLRT, two from Kenyan and one from Tanzanian in the technician course.
The factors which could affect the gender balance are : 1) the indication in GI (general information) in respective year, 2) theexplanation at the time of inception visits, 3) the awareness of respective government which dispatch trainees and 4) the selection by
IRRI/JICA etc. However it is assumed that the shortage of women extension workers and researchers are the largest factor.

xvicountries that participated in the course during the entire Project period is 20, out of all the 23 eligiblecountries, equivalents to 87% of the target (23). Three countries (i.e. Madagascar, Mali and Central Africa),
however, could not participate due to security uncertainties. Regarding the gender balance, the overall
average over the three years was 29%.
Output-3: Participants successfully complete the 3-week, researcher technician course.
By the end of the Project, Output 3 is expected to be mostly achieved except for the gender balance. A
total of 41 African trainees are expected to complete the research technician course, equivalent to 89% of
the target. Likewise the young researcher course, the 3rd batch was catered for Francophone countries, andthe total number of countries participated is 21 out of 23, equivalents to 91% of the targeted. Two countries(i.e. Madagascar and Central Africa) could not participate due to security uncertainties. Regarding thegender balance, the overall average over the three years was 32%.
(2) Project Purpose
Capacity of extension officer, young researcher and research technician participants to develop and extend
rice production is improved.
Project purpose is most likely expected to be achieved by the end of the Project, based on the definition
taken by IRRI where the capacity of extension officer, young researcher and technician is defined as being
able to confidently explain and apply acquired knowledge and skills in rice production and research by
localizing them to their own situations. The Project did not set specific standards as to the minimum level ofcompetency trainees should develop. But rather the emphasis was on maximizing trainees’ exposure to newknowledge and skills.
By the time of Terminal Evaluation, each of three courses (for extension officers, young researchers andresearch technicians) were conducted three times, and a total of 155 (142 Africans and 13 Filipinos3)
participants were trained. The number of participants by course was 76 (63 African and 13 Filipino) for
SLRT, 38 Africans for young researcher course, and 41 Africans for research technician course.
In SLRT, the theoretical learning was put into practice by test-conducting FFS (Farmers Field School). In
young researcher and research technician courses, IRRI made efforts to adequately balance theory andpractice, accommodating participant’s interests by linking them up with IRRI researchers.
However, it was found that no common understanding had been formed among JICA, IRRI and PhilRiceon how to monitor the development of trainees’ skills in the course. The Project, at the onset, should havedeveloped a common understanding on definition of the Project Goal, indicators for Evaluation Frameworkand the monitoring format for regular reporting in the Progress Report.

3

In the 1st year, the Government of Philippine funded 5 extension workers. In the 2nd and 3rd year, JICA funded 8 Filipinos participants.

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3-2.

Summary of Evaluation Results(1) Relevance
Relevance of the Project is high in terms of the policies and the needs of the Governments ofCARD-member African countries and Japan (GoJ), while there were certain limitations in the strategy of theProject.
The needs and policies of CARD-member African countries.
In sub-Saharan Africa, while the demand for rice has been rapidly growing, regional supply has not met
the needs. A reason of increasing demand-supply gap is lower yields in sub-Saharan Africa than in Asia. The
underlying causes are considered to be: a) insufficient agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation, b)
underdevelopment of appropriate production methods, and c) non-dissemination of basic technologies.
Therefore, there is an urgent need in the capacity development of researchers, research technicians andextension workers.
The 23 CARD member countries aim at doubling rice production by 2018. Each government is committed
to formulate National Rice Development Strategies (NRDS), in which the human resource development isregarded as an important component.
The policy of GoJ.
The Project is relevant to Japan’s ODA policy that emphasizes “human security” and targets vulnerable
populations. Agriculture is a priority area of Japan’s development assistance policy for Africa. At TICAD IV
in 2008, GoJ announced launching of the CARD initiatives with AGRA, aiming at increasing rice production
in sub-Saharan Africa to 28 million MT by 2018.
Selection of target counties.
The Project selected all 23 CARD member countries as target. As for SLRT, 13 mainly Anglophone countries
are prioritized, as this course requires direct and close interaction of participants with Filipino farmers. Theshorter 3-week training courses for the young researcher and research technician target all 23 countries, by
allocating the third year for Francophone countries.
Appropriateness of Project design.
IRRI is the lead implementing agency of the Project and on-farm activities of SLRT are taken care of by
PhilRice which JICA has long assisted. As IRRI, a CGIAR center, is the leading institution of GRiSP (Global
Rice Science Partnership), partnering with Africa Rice Center, its comparative advantage is without question.
While the Project is a new experience for JICA to partner with a CG center and a national research instituteat once, the existing relationships between JICA and PhilRice, and IRRI and PhilRice are clearly anadvantage; the design of the Project is also considered appropriate.

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(2) Effectiveness
Most expected Outputs have been achieved or will be achieved by the end of the Project, where each
Output is contributing to the materialization of the Project Purpose. Accordingly, based on IRRI’s definition,
the Project Purpose will be achieved to a significant extent by the end of the Project period.
(3) Efficiency
The efficiency of the Project was moderate. Major portion of inputs were properly utilized to produce theOutputs, except for delay in the procurement of some training materials for SLTP in the second year.
The factors improved the efficiency:
・ Synergy with the past assistance of JICA
・ Network of JICA and IRRI in Africa
・ Inclusion of Filipino participants in SLRT・ English proficiency of Filipino farmers
Constraints on the efficiency:
・ Different financial systems among three institutions (JICA, IRRI and PhilRice)・ Delay in transfer of operational funds to PhilRice due to delay in the processing of contracts
・ The assignment of tasks at PhilRice (concentration on limited number of staff)
・ Change of IRRI member in charge of M&E(4) Impact
At the time of Terminal Evaluation (TE), the Overall Goals were partially achieved together with otherpositive impacts. To achieve the Overall Goals by utilizing ex-trainees, IRRI and JICA country offices are
expected to encourage partner governments to actively engage ex-trainees in their work.
Overall Goal 1: The model of extension and the techniques learnt in the Philippines are being utilized infarmer support activities in the target African countries.
The Overall Goal 1 is partially achieved at the time of TE. Based on the response to follow-up surveyquestionnaires and IRRI’s reports on follow-up visits in Africa, about half of trainees are actively utilizing
the model of extension and the techniques learned at IRRI and PhilRice. Upon return, trainees of threecourses, especially those who underwent the 4-month SLRT, are regarded as rice expert in many countries.
Changes, attributable to FFS and demonstration, are reported in the areas where ex-trainees are assigned.
Ex-trainees in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia are reported to have developed linkages withprojects supported by JICA or a Japanese NGO. In addition, FFS is being promoted as a lead extension
method by the Ugandan government which is committed to rice development; this is considered a combined
effect of the ex-trainee’s initiative and a project supported by JICA (“PRIDE” Project).
During the follow-up visits, many governments showed interests in rolling out TOT by in-country training
engaging ex-trainees as core trainers and requested for assistance of IRRI, PhilRice and JICA.
Overall Goal 2: Production knowledge from the courses is available nationally in each country.

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The Overall Goal 2 was partially achieved at the time of TE, although the extent of nationwide coverage isnot known. Regarding indicator 3-1, while the response of the follow-up survey questionnaire does notdirectly address the documentation of the nationwide and/or to the national level, 75 % of extension workers
and 53% of young scientists distributed educational materials. As to indicator 3-2, while the question was not
specifically for national level planning, a few ex-trainees responded in suggestion of contribution at thenational level: 1) Insect Pest Control Strategies in Burkina Faso, 2) the Rice Hub Strategy in Gambia and 3)NRDS and the Implementation Framework in Kenya.
Regarding RKB (Rice Knowledge Bank), some countries requested IRRI for its development. As for
Rwanda and Burundi, IRRI team, at the end of the follow-up visit in May 2012, conducted the RKB
development workshop in each country and succeeded in gaining support from the relevant Ministries.
Overall Goal 3: Networks on the human resource development on rice production, aiming at bridging
research-extension, have been created among participants as well as among IRRI, JICA and African based
rice development agencies.
The Overall Goal 3 is partially achieved at the time of TE. Network within SLRT graduates wasestablished through Facebook and information actively exchanged. However, the same was not reported foryoung researcher and research technician courses. The bridging research and extension, and the networking
with other relevant agencies and international organization were not sufficiently made.
Some efforts were being made to bridge research and extension. Although follow-up visits to Africa wereoriginally planned only for SLRT, the Project later changed the approach and called all ex-trainees of threecourses to the meeting. This provided an occasion for all ex-trainees to interact and link up4. As to thenetworking with JICA’s country offices and experts, some positive cases were found as mentioned under
Overall Goal 1.
Other positive effects produced by the Project are as follows:
・ Promotion of South-South cooperation and strengthening of PhilRice’s capacity therein.
・ National award/recognitions of the work by ex-trainees.
・ Opportunity for international cultural exchange for Filipino farmers and Filipino participants.
(5) Sustainability
As regards the policy environment, the sustainability is high. During follow-up visits, a majority of thegovernments indicated that the Project came at the right timing, when each CARD member country had
started efforts to increase rice production as a country priority based on their newly developed NRDS.
In terms of technical aspects, a majority of ex-trainees more than doubled the skills and knowledge, andbecome confident in pursuing their tasks in the field of rice. Nevertheless, there are still rooms for
ex-trainees to develop their capacity, especially in localizing acquired skills and to upgrade the capacity fromindividual to the institutional level. One of the assisting tools for this will be the training manual, whose4

As for the Francophone countries, the SLRT was not provided; therefore, the realization of bridging gap between extension-researchamong three courses was not yet in place.

xxcompletion is awaited. Furthermore, the assistance of respective governments and/or institutions whereex-trainees belong holds key to the implementation of action plans. There are cases in some countries where
the ex-trainees were tapped into disseminating the model at the institutional level. It is expected that thesegood practices will be disseminated to other countries through ex-trainees’ networks.
3-3. Factors promoting realization of effects(1) Factors concerning planning・ Participation of PhilRice which JICA has long assisted (it has rich experience in providing training
including those bringing theories into practice by FFS).
・ Networks of JICA and IRRI in Africa.

(1) Factors concerning implementation processes
・ Strong commitment and good hospitality of Filipino facilitators.
・ Participation of PhilRice in TICAD-IV and CARD meetings to know African partners.
3-4. Factors inhibiting realization of effects(1) Factors concerning planning・ Lack of common understanding among JICA, IRRI and PhilRice on M&E indicators.

(2) Factors concerning implementation processes
・ Insufficient time for potential candidates to prepare for application.
・ Weak dialog with partner governments in defining how best they would utilize ex-trainees uponreturn.
3-5. Conclusions
Overall the Project has been successful in training close-to planned number of participants. It was also thefirst time for JICA’s rural development sector to fully partner with both an international agricultural researchorganization (IRRI) and a national research institution (PhilRice) at once and support African agriculturalresearch and extension systems, through which various lessons were learnt.
As regards the relevance, the policy-based needs of CARD member countries and GoJ have beenadequately addressed. The Project Purpose of developing the capacity at individual level is considered
attainable to a satisfactory level before the Project’s close. Efficiency is considered moderate. As to theimpacts, it is noteworthy that the Project produced various positive impacts, while the capacity theex-trainees gained should be better utilized to achieve the Overall Goals. In terms of sustainability, a minor
concern remains on the technical aspect in terms of delay in the printing and distribution of the training
materials used during training courses.
4. Recommendations and Lessons learned
4-1. Recommendations
To IRRI
1. Complete training manuals and distribute them to participants/ex-participants.
2. Compile the report on follow-up survey questionnaires.
3. Share participants’ contacts with relevant stakeholders in each country.

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4. Continuously provide consultation to each participant and encourage application of acquired
capacities.
To JICA
5. Support ex-participants to link up with relevant stakeholders in each country (including otherex-participants, NRDS taskforce members, project experts and other rice experts).
4-2. Lessons Learned
1. M&E indicators should be agreed upon by relevant stakeholders at an early stage of the project.
2. In scheduling project activities, the time for financial procedures should not be overlooked.
3. Weak dialogue with partner governments at selection stage causes under-utilization of gained
capacities of ex-participants.
4. Prospective participants should know, prior to the training, how they can apply for funding torealize their action plans.
5. Overlapping the timing of 3 training courses would be an option to enhance linkages between
research and extension.
6. A carefully planned follow-up visit would be a useful opportunity to generate positive effects.

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