Analysis of factors that contribute to success and effectiveness in planning RISDA's small farmer development programs in Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to analyze factors that contribute to success and effectiveness in planning RISDA's small farmer development programs in Malaysia. A review of related literature was conducted to identify success and failure factors. The factors were organized into categories developed for this study. A small farmer agency, RISDA, was selected in order to confirm the factors identified in the literature.

The data were collected from field workers and county supervisors. Mail questionnaires were used to determine the process used and should be used in planning and implementing RISDA's programs. Semi structured interviews were conducted to validate the results of mail questionnaires.

The major findings of the study were:

1. Decisions were mostly made by project administrators in ineffective small farmer programs.

2. The target clients to be served by effective programs were clearly spelled out, and measures were established to make sure that the small farmers were not dominated by the more literate, progressive farmers.

3. RISDA field workers were encouraged to participate in making decisions related to program implementation, but they were not involved in identifying goals, strategies and procedures for implementation.

4. RISDA's goals were not derived from the small farmers' interests, problems and expectations.

5. There was no planning conducted at the county level. Activities were developed based on the annual budgetary guides pre pared by state administrators, directives and on-going field programs.

The more important conclusions of this study were:

1. RISDA's programs were planned without participation of the small farmers or county personnel. RISDA v/as more concerned with the delivery of materials and services rather than developing the clients' capabilities.

2. The process used to develop the small farmers made a difference in the outcomes of small farmer programs.