Assessment on the Complementing Support Services for Cassava on Selected Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations of District 1, Pangasinan, Philippines

Abstract

The Complementing Support Services for Cassava Production of the Department of Agrarian Reform-Pangasinan was formulated through the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) which intends to reduce the incidence of poverty by providing livelihood programs to selected Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in District 1 of Pangasinan by producing and processing dried cassava chips which will be marketed through partnership between the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBOs) and Private Agribusiness Firm. The assessment, which was based on Organizational and Enterprise Needs Assessment and Design Assessment (OE-NADA), aims to ensure that ARBs would benefit from the project and ARBOs have the capacity to manage the enterprise, and to determine the project’s feasibility and the suitability of identified intervention under the ARCCESS program. Systems Approach was used to assess the ARBO’s organizational, production, marketing and financial capabilities which were then used in determining the project feasibility. Result shows that selected ARBOs are Cooperatives from the municipalities of Mabini, Dasol and Bani. They needed to improve their capabilities according to organizational maturity; marketing strategy; financial assistance; and cultural management practices for cassava production. The assessment shows profitability at 79% Rate of Return on Expenses and 44% Net Profit Margin. However, risks include uncoordinated production, perishability of cassava, susceptibility to natural calamities, and lengthy payback period. The identified intervention requirements of the enterprise can support poverty reduction in ARBs by enhancing the cassava industry in Western Pangasinan, showing potential in mobilizing community participation and obtaining government support since it corresponds to livelihood opportunity creation, gender equality, and promote good agricultural practices.