The Department of Agriculture – Region VI through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and in coordination with the Provincial Government of Guimaras have collaborated with the Guimaras State University in the conduct of the Rapid Appraisal in the province of Guimaras with corresponding funding allocation support.
Rapid Appraisal was conducted as an initial activity in the establishment of a Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) anchored on the provincial Local Government Unit’s (LGUs) strategic plan for agriculture and fishery guided by the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIPs), and Agriculture and Fishery Modernization and Industrialization Plan (AgMIP). Moreover, it serves as a venue for in-depth gap analysis and to measure the readiness of the local government units for the full implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petition.
On September 1, 2023, enumerators participated in a training session designed to enhance their data collection skills. The training was essential in ensuring that the data collected would be of the highest quality, with accurate and complete responses from the field.
The process of validating the survey instrument is important for minimizing errors and inconsistencies, which can impact the integrity of the research findings. By soliciting feedback from key stakeholders—such as local farmers and policymakers—the survey instrument was refined to better reflect the real needs of the community. This collaboration between researchers and stakeholders ensures that the data gathered is relevant and representative of the island’s agricultural and fisheries landscape.
This validation process not only upholds ethical research standards but also strengthens the research’s legitimacy. The improved survey instrument serves as the foundation for collecting reliable data, which can directly inform decision-making and policy development. It further contributes to ensuring that all learners, including those in rural and marginalized areas like Guimaras, can benefit from education that fosters sustainable practices in agriculture and fisheries.
