Project Conceptualisation

The Australia – Philippines Development Cooperation Program Statement of Commitment 2012–17 commits to two strategic objectives:

      1. Strengthening basic services for the poor;

      2. Reducing vulnerabilities from climate change and conflict.

In line with this, ACIAR’s medium term strategy for the Philippines (AOP 2012-2013) encompasses technology uptake and extension processes in Mindanao with specific reference to conflict zones. The provinces within the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and neighbouring areas remain at the bottom of the scale within the Philippines in terms of real per capita income. This income deprivation, along with many other factors such as social dislocation and isolation from services, is a significant factor in Mindanao conflict.

The recent signing of the Framework Agreement for Bangsamoro between the Philippines Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sets the scene for improved prospects in the region and for significant investment.

Previous ACIAR work in Mindanao has highlighted how certain types of community-based extension methods can rapidly enhance agricultural livelihoods. It is proposed here to comprehensively test and evaluate these improved extension methods with respect to conflict areas by reference to the following research questions:

• • How does conflict affect the delivery of agricultural extension and subsequently the agricultural livelihoods of farming communities in conflict areas?

  • How can improved extension methods be most appropriately applied in conflict areas?

  • What agricultural livelihood improvements can be achieved through improved extension methods in conflict areas?

  • How can improved extension methods be best promulgated throughout the areas affected by conflict?

Project aim: The aim of the project is to develop an improved ‘model’ for agricultural extension in conflict areas of Mindanao.

Project objectives:

      1. Determine the livelihood impacts of conflict on agricultural communities and extension services in case study conflict-affected areas.

      2. Implement a pilot program of improved extension and livelihood innovations, making use of principles and methods largely derived from previous ACIAR projects.

      3. Analyse the impacts of the pilot extension and livelihood innovation program.

      4. Engage more broadly with relevant conflict area extension and other agencies outside of the case study areas to communicate project methodologies and findings.

Research strategy and methodology

This project will further develop and pilot test improved extension methods, identified in previous ACIAR project experience, within conflict areas of Mindanao. The overall research process will be undertaken within the framework of Participatory Action Research (PAR). Within this framework, specific disciplinary research skills in sociology, extension, economics and farming systems/marketing will be employed. The key feature of the PAR process is a constant and regular cycle of planning, action, monitoring, evaluation and replanning (as opposed to replicating similar actions in succeeding periods).

The development of improved extension methods will have two dimensions. At the farm level, the focus will be on refining an improved extension system that impacts on the technical, economic and social dimensions of farmer livelihoods. At the institutional (extension agency) level, the focus will be on how improved extension methods can be most appropriately incorporated into extension programs of agencies operating in the conflict areas.

It is anticipated that identifying the importance and role of social capital in agricultural extension programs within conflict areas will be one important component of the research. This is based on experience in both Australia and the Philippines, where strengthening of social capital has been a key factor in the creation of new and innovative solutions to agricultural issues. Social capital is defined here as ‘social relations that are productive and that allow individuals and groups to improve their (economic) wellbeing’. The relevance of social capital to agricultural extension is expected to be especially relevant in conflict areas where isolation is a consequence of conflict. Given the significant dislocation to communication and extension services that occurs in conflict areas, communication of project methodologies and findings to extension and other agencies will be highly important. Accordingly, a range of communication and dissemination activities will be implemented including a project advisory group, use of locally-relevant mass media such as radio, a training program for extension agency staff and an annual showcase of project findings to local chief executives, policy makers and the MILF and ARMM leadership