The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) recently conducted a five-day training from June 27 to July 1, 2016 to capacitate researchers on evaluating gains of research and development initiatives through impact evaluation studies.
Held at the W.D. Dar Conference Room, DOST-PCAARRD Complex, in Los Baños, Laguna, the training was organized by PCAARRD’s Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) in partnership with the College of Economics and Management (CEM) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and was funded by DOST-PCAARRD.
The training was conducted in support of the Council’s Impact Assessment (IA) Program which seeks to measure the gains of implemented R&D programs or projects in relation to the costs incurred by the government.
IA studies also provide lessons that may be used in formulating S&T policies and innovation strategies, to further improve R&D management and achieve target impacts.
Twenty five participants from Benguet State University, Central Luzon State University, UPLB, Bicol University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Visayas, University of Southeastern Philippines, and PCAARRD joined the training.
The participants were trained on the impact assessment framework, mapping of inputs to benefits, data collection and adoption studies, benefit-cost analysis, and productivity and technical efficiency computation.
Doctors Marilyn M. Elauria, Nora DM. Carambas, Yolanda T. Garcia, and Prof. Normito R. Zapata Jr. of CEM, UPLB, served as resource persons during the training.
As a culminating activity, each group of participants pitched a project proposal based on the lessons gained from the training.
SERD staff members including OIC-Director Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena, and Ms. Genny G. Bandoles, together with Drs. Elauria and Carambas served as evaluators during the presentation.