Logical Framework, Project Environment Enablers and Sustainability of Caritas Projects in Meru County, Kenya
- January 11, 2022
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Julius Kaburu Agostino1, Professor Dorothy Ndunge Kyalo (PhD)2, Dr Angelina Sabina Mulwa (PhD)3
1PhD Candidate, Department of Management Science and Project Planning, University of Nairobi, KENYA
2Department of Education Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, niversity of Nairobi, KENYA
3Senior Lecturer, Department of Education Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, University of Nairobi, KENYA
The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of utilization of logical framework as monitoring and evaluation tool on sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya with project environment enablers as a moderating effect. A pragmatic research paradigm and a descriptive survey research design were adopted. The target population was 59 smallholder farmer groups and 24 Caritas Meru staff. The sample size was 51 smallholder farmer groups and the total sample size was 177 respondents comprising 153 group leaders and 24 project officers. The data collection tools were questionnaire and an interview guide. The collected data were coded and entered into the SPSS 5th edition for analysis. The qualitative data was analyzed by way of grouping similar responses together and identifying the main themes from them. The multiple linear regression models were used to determine the link between dependent and independent variables. The study found out that utilization of Logical Framework (R^(2 )=0.438 t=32.892 P=0.000˂0.05) had a statistically significant influence on the sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya. The findings revealed that there was a positive correlation r=0.256 between the project environment enablers and the sustainability of community agricultural projects. The study found out that the relationship between utilization of logical framework and sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya depended on the project environment enablers. The researcher recommends that organizations dealing with the community project should utilize logical framework as monitoring and evaluation tool, factor in project environment enablers in project plan, and involve critical stakeholders. They should also train farmer groups’ leaders on leadership and management skills, train farmers on utilisation of information communication technology such as use of internet. They should train farmers on record keeping and conflict management practices to avoid collapse of groups. The researcher suggests that a similar study be undertaken to find out the influence of other monitoring and evaluation tools on sustainability of community projects. A comparable study including other non-governmental organizations working on community agricultural projects is advised.
Key words: Monitoring, Evaluation, sustainability, Logical framework, community projects, environment enablers.
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Sustainability is the main indicator of success of community projects. The long-term viability of projects, especially in the food crop sector, has been a major concern. According to IFAD (2009), 50% of the projects evaluated in 2007, including those in agriculture, were only marginally satisfactory in terms of sustainability, while 33% were unsatisfactory.”
According to the Caritas Internationalis, Food Security study summary report (2015) recommends that the world needs to do much more to fight hunger. The Food Security Study shows that the best way to end the scandal of hunger is to support small scale farmers, especially as they try to adapt to the changing climate. “
In Asia, Caritas has developed sustainable agriculture and revive food sufficiency to boost the income of farming communities (Fare Eastern Agriculture report 2018). The commitments were made at a conference in the Indonesian diocese of Ruteng by members of Caritan organizations from 13 Asian countries. India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Timor Leste were among the countries concerned. By setting up 16 support groupings in the villages, the diocese trained farmers in organic fertilizer production. This allows these organizations to find inexpensive ways to solve the soil fertility crisis. Caritas Asia has also established a holistic approach to farmers in Indonesia which provides not only improved skills but spiritual support through catechesis (Fare Eastern Agriculture report 2018)
