EFFECTIVENESS OF A RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: A CASE OF THE WOMEN-FARMERS IN AN UPLAND PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

The Mindanao Rural Development Program Adaptable Program Loan 2- Community Fund for Agricultural Development was implemented in Southern Philippines to give the disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors, including women, the avenue to increase income using appropriate and sustainable agriculture and fishery production technologies. The study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the program in improving income and achieving food security among the 148 randomly selected women-farmers in an upland province of Bukidnon in Southern Philippines who participated in the program. Data was gathered through a pretested questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression. The women-farmers were middle-aged, married with large households, members of local organizations, and tenants of small farms earning low income from both corn production and other sources. The MRDP-CFAD program was assessed as less effective in increasing productivity and income but perceived as very effective in securing food among the women-farmers. The findings of the study showed that a unit increase in the technical assistance provided by program implementers together with the availability of farm inputs and household size will improve the effectiveness of the Mindanao Rural Development Program Adaptable Program Loan 2-Community Fund for Agricultural Development among the women-farmers in upland Bukidnon province.