The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance to the conduct of the Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) Endline Survey by the Philippine institute of Development Studies (PIDS) in cooperation with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

The survey aims to establish the current situation of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO) households engaged in farming after the implementation of the Project ConVERGE. Their condition will be assessed in terms of access to and utilization of production technologies, production inputs, credit, agriculture support infrastructures information and market, and policy environment. Results of the study are also important to the effort of promoting inclusive value chain development as a strategy for modernizing smallholder agriculture in the Philippines.

A total of 1,144 households which are also the same respondents from the baseline survey conducted in 2019, are targeted to participate in the endline survey.

Major data items to be collected in this undertaking include but not limited to the following: income level, asset ownership, household size, access to, and utilization of production technologies, production inputs, credit, agriculture support infrastructures information and market, and policy environment.

A total budget amounting to PHP 2.29 million will be utilized in the survey.

This undertaking was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

• ensure sound design for data collection
• minimize the burden placed upon respondents
• effect economy in statistical data collection
• eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts
• achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the ARBO members to support the said survey.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers
(02) 376-1928 and  (02) 376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General