PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF SMALLHOLDER IRRIGATION PROJECTS: A CASE OF LOWER KUJA IRRIGATION PROJECT IN MIGORI COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

Irrigation is considered to ensure food security in areas experiencing depressed rainfall. About
40% of world food is grown under irrigation (Asian Development Bank [ADB], 2015). However,
increase in area under irrigation has led to conflict over land and water resources. Consequently,
countries like Mexico, Chile, India, Philippines and Columbia are adopting irrigation
management transfer to enhance farmer management of irrigation projects (Siebert et al., 2005).
The Government of Kenya constructed Lower Kuja Irrigation Project in 2015 comprising 15
individual smallholder irrigation projects using irrigation management transfer approach. This
approach entailed organisation of farmers into a water users association responsible for
coordinating farmers’ activities. Thus, the study sought to assess the influence of project
organisation on performance of smallholder irrigation projects. The study framed the alternate
hypothesis in the form H1: There is a significant relationship between project organisation and
performance of smallholder irrigation projects in Migori County. The study was anchored on
Citizen Empowerment Theory by Burns et al., (1994). The theory provides a basis for engagement
of project beneficiaries in project organisation. The study adopted pragmatism as a philosophy,
and used cross sectional and correlational research design. By means of Krejcie and Morgan
(1970) Tables, the study selected 341 respondents from a sampling frame of 2,815 registered
members of the 15 smallholder irrigation projects that make up Lower Kuja Irrigation Project
using systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using questionnaire and
classified using a 5-Point Likert Scale. Data analysis used descriptive statistics (means and
standard deviation), and inferential statistics (Pearson’s regression analysis at p-value of 5%
significance level). The findings show that regular election of leaders (4.196) is the most addressed
aspect of project organisation, while enforcement of bylaws (3.967) is the least addressed aspect.
The results also show that: r = .781, r2 = .610, F [5, 331] = 103.651, Fc = 2.2413, p<0.000<0.05.
Hence, the study accepted the alternate hypothesis (H1), and concluded that project structure,endorsement of constitution, enforcement of bylaws, regular election of leaders, and holding of
periodic meetings have significant influence on performance of smallholder irrigation projects.
Consequently, the study recommended that Migori County formulate policies that support project
organisation in smallholder irrigation projects. The study also recommended creation of bylaws
sub-committees in smallholder irrigation projects. Further, the study recommended research on
influence of project organisation on performance of smallholder irrigation projects using
longitudinal and experimental research design.
Keywords: Critical Factors, Citizen Empowerment Theory, Irrigation Management Transfer,
Migori County, Project Organisation, Smallholder Irrigation.