Implementation management for sustainability: lessons learned from integrated rural development project involving UPLB [University of the Philippines Los Baños] - SCUs [State Colleges and Universities] - LGUs [Local Government Units] - NGOs/POs [Non Government Organizations/Peoples Organizations] partnerships

A review of selected integrated agricultural and rural development programs was undertaken to derive policy and program guidelines for future involvement in UPLB in integrated rural development work. The review covered: 1) Quezon Integrated Rural and Agricultural Development Program (IRAD, 1973-1979) ; 2) UPLB-DTRI Milk Collection Program (DTRI-MCP, 1975-1980) ; 3) Barangay Integrated Development Approach to Nutrition Improvement (BIDANI started 1978 and continuing until now) and 4) Farmer-Scientists RDE Training Program in Corn-Based Production System for Sustainable Agricultural Development (FSTP) started in 1994 and running up to the present. While all of the programs were integrated there were varying levels of integration. IRAD represented the program that covered almost all sectors of rural society, had the most diverse programs, i.e. different agricultural commodities in production, processing and marketing, more numerous objectives i.e. incomes, environment, nutrition, education and institutional development. It also started with four municipalities of Quezon as its 'integrated area' focus. The DTRI MCP integrated rural development concerns in its dairy program. While the MCP covered the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and Rizal, the rural development component consisting of nutrition and health, family planning, sanitation and environment were implemented only in the barangays of Jala-jala, Rizal. BIDANI started out as a pilot project on a nutrition improvement model based on the premise that poverty is the cause of malnutrition and an integrated holistic approach is needed to mitigate malnutrition. The replication was in 1978 in 16 villages in Laguna and Batangas. It soon expanded nationwide. As of 2000, BIDANI involved 46 SUCs, 1,196 villages, 181 municipalities, 46 provinces in all 13 regions of the country. The FSTP did not explicitly address 'integrated rural development'. Its lead or program entry point was a training program for farmer-scientists in corn-based farming systems. As implemented however, it touched on other components of development particularly improved productivity, increased incomes and better living standards. As of 2008, the FSTP covered 56 towns and cities in 5 provinces involving more than 2,000 farmer-scientists. The review indicated that a 'commodity' focus; a pilot-test or at least a small project before expansion ; the participation of the grassroots in planning and implementation ; the involvement of national line agencies and the local government units, linkages both internal to UPLB and external involving resource and expertise agencies and continuing program leadership are favorable determinants of the implementation management performance of integrated rural development programs. In the matter of sustainability, it appears that BIDANI and the FSTP had accomplished this. Some of the factors which influenced sustainability were active people participation, the setting up of rural institutions and structures, more diverse and effective linkages, a more specific program and sectoral focus and the interest and participation of the local government units and officials.