UTILIZATION OF STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS TOOL AND SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY CARITAS IN MERU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of the utilization of stakeholder analysis
tools on the sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru
County, Kenya. 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 a
questionnaire and an interview guide. The qualitative data was analyzed by way of grouping
similar responses together and identifying the main themes from them. The linear regression and
Pearson’s correlation (r) methods were utilized to evaluate the link between the variables.
Multiple linear regression models determined the link between dependent and independent
variables and inferential statistics that informed the decision to reject or not reject the alternative
hypothesis. The study found that Utilization of stakeholder analysis R=57.7 % (P=0.000)
influenced the sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru
County, Kenya. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between the utilization
of stakeholder analysis as monitoring & evaluation and sustainability of community-based
agriculture projects. The study recommends that organizations dealing with the community-based
project should utilize stakeholder analysis as a monitoring and evaluation tool to enhance
sustainability, train farmers’ group leaders on leadership and management skills, and farmers on
best farming practices, record keeping, and conflict management.
Keywords: Stakeholder analysis, monitoring and evaluation tools, sustainability, community
projects