EFFECT OF PROJECT ENVIRONMENT ENABLERS ON THE LINK BETWEEN M&E TOOLS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY CARITAS IN MERU COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: To determine the moderating effect of project environment enablers on the link between M&E Tools and sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya.
Methodology: A pragmatic research paradigm was adopted and a descriptive survey research design was utilized. 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).
Results: The null hypothesis tested was that the relationship between M&E Tools and the Sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya does not depend on the project environment enablers. The results were R^(2 )=0.095, t=7.042, P=0.000˂0.05. The null hypothesis was rejected and was concluded that the relationship between M&E Tools and Sustainability of community agricultural projects undertaken by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya depended on the project environment enablers.
Conclusions: Moderating effect of Project Environment has a statistically significant influence on the sustainability of CAP supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya.
Recommendations: Findings suggest that an increase in the project environment enablers leads to an increase in the sustainability of the community agricultural project by Caritas in Meru County and vice versa. It is therefore imperative to the National and County governments to create and promote citizen-friendly tax regime, simple groups’ registration requirements, peaceful co-existence amongst neighboring communities, and Information Technology literacy.
Keywords: Moderating effect, Project environment enablers, M&E tools, Sustainability of community agricultural projects.
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