End of Commitment Report – Farmers’ modernization program and their participation in the design, compilation, and publication of agricultural production and price data in open formats.

Name of Evaluator

Franklin Gerardo Naranjo Armijo

Email

fnaranjo@itsjapon.edu.ec

Member Name

Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador

Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Title

Action plan – Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador, 2021 – 2023

CommitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action...

Farmers’ modernization program and their participation in the design, compilation, and publication of agricultural production and price data in open formats.

Action

The commitment points to the creation of a program for the modernization of farmers and their participation in the design, compilation, and publication of agricultural production data and prices in open formats, with the collaboration of different sectors such as academia, producers, the provincial government, and private companies, based on the following guidelines: Training and production technification for farmers, tending to involve producers in the proper use of new methods, systems and, agro-productive technology that promote and develop a quality economic activity with high yield margins. Design, compile and publish data on agricultural production and prices in open formats, to make them available to producers and citizens in general, so that they have information corresponding to the development, growth, level and, updated positioning of the productive segments from the province

Problem

Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas is characterized by being a commercial and agro-productive province. The products with the highest incidence in production are cocoa, coffee, African palm, citrus fruits, bananas, and various other fruits. The rural economy, based on livestock activity, plays vital importance in the economy of the province, from the production of goods of animal origin for food and industrial use, such as cattle, pigs, poultry, and others. Most of the region’s productive capacity conserves outdated methods that do not consider environmental impact, soil quality, temperature, or long-term production planning. Added to this is the lack of a price guide for agricultural products, causing intermediaries to often take advantage of the condition and ignorance of local farmers to pay prices that are not in line with the market.

1.1 What was the overall level of progress in the commitment implementation at the time of this assessment?

Complete

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The co-creation of a public policy for an agricultural product pricing application is a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders. This is crucial to ensure that the policy is effective and beneficial for all. Some of the key stakeholders involved in this process may include:

• Provincial Government: Representatives of the provincial government play a central role in the development and implementation of the policy. They are responsible for regulationGovernment reformers are developing regulations that enshrine values of transparency, participation, and accountability in government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or reforming ... and oversight of the application.
• Farmers and Peasants: Farmers and peasants are direct beneficiaries of the policy, and their participation is essential to ensure it aligns with their needs and realities.
• Academic Researchers: Academics can provide research and analysis to support the development of the policy. The co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive... involves collaboration and consultation among these stakeholders.

The co-creation process involves collaboration and consultation among these stakeholders

Provide evidence that supports and justifies your answer:

• Photo – Co-creation
• Photo – Co-creation

1.2 Describe the main external or internal factors that impacted the implementation of this commitment and how they were addressed (or not).

Here are the internal and external factors that affected the implementation of this commitment and how they could be addressed:
Internal Factors:

• Limited Resources: The lack of financial, human, and technological resources could hinder the implementation. Addressing this required appropriate resource allocation and seeking efficiencies.
• Insufficient Training: The lack of training or knowledge among the involved personnel posed a challenge. It was addressed through training programs and skills development to improve personnel preparedness for successful implementation.

External Factors:

• Political Changes: Changes in the public administration can impact policy implementation. This was addressed through long-term planning to ensure continuity of efforts even amid political changes. The policy was designed to be as apolitical as possible to ensure its continuity.
• Economic or Environmental Context: Changing economic or environmental conditions can influence policy implementation. It was addressed through flexibility and adaptation of the policy to address changing economic and environmental challenges. Regular assessments were conducted to adjust the policy as needed.

In summary, the early identification of challenges and proper planning were essential to effectively address these factors during the implementation of any public policy or commitment.

1.3 Was the commitment implemented as originally planned?

Few of the commitment milestones were implemented as planned

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The successful implementation of the commitment depends on various factors, including resource allocation, collaboration among stakeholders, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and the achievement of established objectives. As such, reports from technical experts were consulted to provide details on the status of the implementation of this specific commitment. It was concluded that the commitment was partially implemented as planned, albeit with some delays in the execution timelines.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photo – Implementation
• Photo – Implementation

2.1.1. – Did the government disclose more information; improve the quality of the information (new or existing); improve the value of the information; improve the channels to disclose or request information or improve accessibility to information?

Yes

Degree of result:

Major

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

The application provides reference prices for agricultural products produced by farmers, which is a valuable tool to promote transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More in local markets and protect the interests of farmers. By providing farmers and agricultural producers with information about market prices, several benefits are being achieved:

• Preventing Intermediary Exploitation: By knowing reference prices, farmers can make informed decisions about the sale of their products and avoid exploitation by intermediaries offering unfair prices.
• Fairer Negotiations: Information on reference prices enables farmers to negotiate more effectively with buyers and obtain fair prices for their products.
• Crop Planning: Farmers can use reference prices to plan their crops and determine which products may be more profitable.
• Empowerment of Farmers: By providing farmers with access to price data, they are empowered and given greater control over their livelihoods.

In summary, this application that provides reference prices for agricultural products is a valuable tool to protect the interests of farmers and promote fairness in local markets.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Memorandum – App “Agroprecios”
• Screenshot – App “Agroprecios”

2.1.2. – Did the government create new opportunities to seek feedback from citizens/enable participation inform or influence decisions; improve existing channels or spaces to seek feedback from citizens/enable participation/ inform or influence decisions; create or improve capabilities in the government or the public aimed to improve how the government seeks feedback from citizens/enables participation/ or allows for the public to inform or influence decisions?

Yes

Degree of result:

Major

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

It is encouraging to know that the citizens and farmers value and appreciate this application that provides information on agricultural product prices. The gratitude and support of the community are positive indicators that the tool is fulfilling its purpose and providing significant benefits to its users. The ability to make informed decisions in economic and agricultural terms is essential for the well-being of farmers and the sustainable development of rural communities.
It is important to continue maintaining and updating this application to ensure that it remains relevant and useful over time. Furthermore, user feedback and suggestions can be valuable for improving and adapting the app to the changing needs of the agricultural community.
In general, initiatives of this kind that empower citizens and provide useful information for decision-making are an important step toward transparency, equity, and the strengthening of rural communities.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photo
• Photo
• Photo

2.1.3 Did the government create or improve channels, opportunities or capabilities to hold officials answerable to their actions?

Yes

Degree of result:

Major

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

The fact that the Prefecture of Santo Domingo has created or improved channels, opportunities, or capacities to hold officials accountable is crucial to ensure integrity and trust in the government. Some of the ways in which the government achieves this include:

• Transparency Laws and Regulations: The government enacts laws and regulations that require the disclosure of information and transparency in decision-making.
• Independent AuditsInstitutional and legal frameworks are necessary for providing assurance of the integrity of financial information and of compliance with budgetary rules and procedure. Technical specifications: These... and Assessments: Conducting independent audits and assessments of government actions identifies problems and areas for improvement.
• Financial Transparency: Publishing government budgets, expenditures, and contracts online provides the public with the opportunity to examine how public funds are spent and hold officials accountable for the proper use of resources.
• Sanctions and Legal Accountability: Ensuring that there are legal sanctions and effective accountability procedures for officials who violate the law or codes of conduct is essential to maintaining accountability in government.

These are some of the approaches the government can use to create a culture of accountability and transparency in public administration. Accountability is fundamental and strengthens democracy by ensuring that public officials act for the benefit of society.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photo
• Photo

2.1.4 Other Results

No

Degree of result:

Major

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

The creation and improvement of channels, opportunities, and capabilities to hold officials accountable for their actions have had a significant impact on both individuals and the practice of government administration.
As a result, the impact of these measures translates into a more transparent, efficient, and responsible public administration. This, in turn, has enhanced citizens’ trust in the government and empowered individuals to actively participate in governance and decision-making. The outcome is a more open, equitable, and service-oriented government system.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photo
• Photo

2.2 Did the commitment address the public policy problem that it intended to address as described in the action plan?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

A public policy issue was addressed through a commitment, and it is crucial that certain steps are followed to achieve the defined goals and objectives in the action plan. The commitment was executed as a public policy issue in accordance with the action plan.

The commitment has been consistently addressed as a public policy issue, aligning with established objectives and being evidence-based and involving citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More. Furthermore, it is transparent in its implementation and evaluation, contributing to accountability and the strengthening of trust in the government.

3. Provide at least one lesson or reflection relating to the implementation of this commitment. It can be the identification of key barriers to implementation, an unexpected help/hindrance, recommendations for future commitments, or if the commitment should be taken forward to the next action plan.

An important lesson related to the implementation of commitments to create transparency and accountability in public administration is the need for sustained commitment over time. Transparency and accountability are not static goals; they are continuous processes that require ongoing efforts to maintain and improve.