This is an interesting discussion. I think most of times when designing M&E systems we fail to reflect on how the monitoring and evaluation process would benefit the whole spectrum of stakeholders of an intervention especially the farmers.. In most projects/programs the M&E process has been relegated to a data collection and processing ONLY activity. And this data/information is also always done to satisfy donor requirements. Learning in M&E should be prioritised throughout the project cycle. There is usually little or no "M&E" of the M&E systems in our interventions that would help us understand if they are effective. I have seen a few farmer evaluations where farmers were involved in some M&E activities for learning purposes. But mostly, the farmers do not value it because its an imposed activity. They do not understand what and why they are doing the process as it feels like its being imposed on them.
RE: A lack of learning in the monitoring and evaluation of agriculture projects
Malawi
Emma Nthandose Gausi
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
International Potato Center
Posted on 21/03/2023
This is an interesting discussion. I think most of times when designing M&E systems we fail to reflect on how the monitoring and evaluation process would benefit the whole spectrum of stakeholders of an intervention especially the farmers.. In most projects/programs the M&E process has been relegated to a data collection and processing ONLY activity. And this data/information is also always done to satisfy donor requirements. Learning in M&E should be prioritised throughout the project cycle. There is usually little or no "M&E" of the M&E systems in our interventions that would help us understand if they are effective. I have seen a few farmer evaluations where farmers were involved in some M&E activities for learning purposes. But mostly, the farmers do not value it because its an imposed activity. They do not understand what and why they are doing the process as it feels like its being imposed on them.