USAID/Philippines Microenterprise Access to Banking Services Program

The training programs emphasized the importance of conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, and post-harvest handling techniques. The initiative's emphasis on women's empowerment and social inclusion was seen as a key factor in the program's success, with women's participation rates exceeding initial projections. The evaluation also highlighted the importance of ongoing support and capacity building for farmers, particularly in areas such as business management and market access. The initiative's geographic focus was on Eastern Province, with a particular emphasis on the districts of Kirehe and Nyagatare. The program's timeframes were divided into three phases, with the first phase focusing on initial assessments and program design, the second phase on implementation and training, and the third phase on midterm evaluation and scaling up. Recommendations from the midterm evaluation included continued support for women-headed households and the expansion of market linkage facilitation to other regions in Rwanda.