Strengthening Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Agriterra is collaborating with Pakisama since 2002. The collaboration focuses on building PAKISAMA capacity to undertake its avowed vision, mission, goals for small-scale family farmers in the Philippines, more recently in the area of building agri-based enterprises. Crucial aspect to keep on track of results is a well-established, effective and efficient Planning, Monitoring,  Evaluation and Learning system owned and implemented by PAKISAMA-a  system where clear, viable and relevant data are gathered in a bottom up process led by PAKISAMA. Capacity to interpret and analyse data is the second crucial element in the PMEL-process. This process enables the organisation to adjust where necessary in the pathway reaching their objectives and creating a positive impact for the farmer members. Above all, a system like this generates knowledge. And it is well known that knowledge is power. 

Because of the relevance and importance of a PMEL system as described above and the actual challenges PAKISAMA faces, Agriterra and PAKISAMA decided to start a joint effort to strengthen the PMEL-system of PAKISAMA for the remaining period of the year 2014.  

Based on a M&E-workshop (March 2014), their M&E-scan and M&E-SWOT-analysis, discussions during missions of liaison officer and mail correspondence, a draft action plan was formulated. This draft action plan resulted in a trajectory to support PAKISAMA in strengthening and improving their PMEL and is as such separate from but complementary to the projects focussing on economic agricultural aspects. An improved PMEL-system and strengthened PMEL capacity, is reflected in the collaboration between Agriterra and PAKISAMA at project level as relevant and viable data are collected and consolidated. 

The trajectory is guided by a local advisor which delivers advisory services from September 2014 till December 2014. The advisory service will first confirm  the problem analysis of PAKISAMA in order to have a clear picture and analysis of the current situation and the necessary steps to reach the desired situation (the draft action plan). Based on the outcomes of this advisory service, the action plan will be refined (and probably revised) and budget will be allocated accordingly. 

PAKISAMA has the following vision : 
(i) M&E must drive people to action, and must measure performance vs. targets (motivation – reward system);  
(ii) M&E information is useful only if it is used. So what is the relevant data to be collected and how can this data be stored and analysed. 

The needs are formulated as follows: 
(iii) There is a need to develop M&E system related to membership services, and  this needs a framework for membership growth and development;   
(iv) Agriterra can help with: System development; Storage and access; Data analysis for management. 

Agriterra and Pakisama agreed to focus their M&E trajectory from September till December 2014 on:  
- make the membership database system operational and 
- feed the system with relevant agricultural information important for the members and the organisations itself.

Developing the PMEL of PAKISAMA needs to be done comprehensively and bottom-up, meaning from the farmer household level to cluster to primary cooperative, to federation and confederation levels. The process should also be seen as a capacity building of all internal stakeholders such as the members, the leaders and the staff. An external consultants/M&E advisor will complement existing talents within the organization.

Membership database 
The membership database shall include the profile of members - National level, Regional level, Cooperative level, Cluster level, Farmer (individual) level.  It aims to institute an effective and efficient M&E system that is relevant and meaningful to all stakeholders from the organizational level to the individual farmer members to the donors involved. It will help guide the organization in making strategic decisions in organizational and agro-enterprise development. The database will be online and linked to the PAKISAMA website and will only be accessible to stakeholders – members, clusters, cooperatives, provincial federations. The SPSS software will be utilize for analysis. The services of a software developer will be contracted. Field staff and Farmer Technicians will be trained to gather and register the relevant data through personal visits/phone calls.  

The consolidated baseline survey (as of January 2014) was circulated to all staff for comments and to make any necessary changes. Aside from the ID system (data gathering), there is no direct link between the online database and BanKo.  The online database can complement the registry / baseline survey which is already a part of the Agriterra project.  The partnership is deemed a win-win idea whereby PAKISAMA gets to establish a more reliable membership ID system, a faster communication capability with the free SIM card offered by leading telecom Globe, and the more attractive offer to farmers/fisherfolk that by signing up with BanKO, they get to establish a savings account with the barest requirements supported by a highly respected bank, Bank of Philippine Islands.  

Membership registration system plus M&E on Agricultural activities
The existing M&E system on agricultural adcitvitiesactivities will be reviewed and finetunedfine-tuned make them more farmer-centric and meet the needs of all stakeholders. The modified KRAs/indicators shall be validated through participatory consultations involving farmer members of selected clusters in five regions nationwide. The PAKISAMA Manual of M&E Systems and Tools will be produced and consolidated with the help of management/farmer leaders.

Support by Agriterra
Agriterra is willing to support PAKISAMA to 
- make the membership database system operational and 
- feed the system with relevant agricultural information important for the members and the organisations itself.

The project aims to: 
- make the membership database system operational and 
- feed the system with relevant agricultural information important for the members and the organisations itself. 

Concerning the process: 
Developing the PMEL of PAKISAMA needs to be done comprehensively and bottom-up, meaning from the farmer household level to cluster to primary cooperative, to federation and confederation levels. The process should also be seen as a capacity building of all internal stakeholders such as the members, the leaders and the staff. A local external consultant will complement existing talents within the organization.