Analysis of Stakeholder Involvement and Project Sustainability at Food and Agriculture Organization in Kenya.

Abstract

FAO projects in Kenya play a crucial role in achievement of the all-important goal of having a Kenya that is free from hunger and malnutrition, where food and agriculture help to improve the living standards of all, especially the poorest, in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner and thus their model must seek to have sustainable self-reliant projects. However, more often than not, the extent to which the projects are able to persist despite the exit of donors, while the beneficiaries reap dividends; appreciate their participation and ownership role in the project remains a challenge that FAO is struggling with. The study therefore established the influence of consultations, collaborative planning and partnerships on project sustainability at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Kenya. A descriptive research design was adopted and the target population were 156 respondents consisting of field coordinators, project managers, supervisors, assistant project managers, government representatives in the ministry of agriculture and project beneficiaries of sample projects. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics where correlation and multiple regression models were used through Ordinary Least Square estimators. The study findings indicated that an increase in stakeholder consultations as well as partnerships can lead to a significant increase in sustainability of FAO projects. However, collaborative planning is not associated with a significant increase in sustainability of FAO projects. This study recommends FAO project officers to enhance consultation efforts by allocating more towards attitude surveys, open forum meetings with stakeholders, public hearings as well as joint social audit of projects after completion. Additionally, project managers at FAO can enhance partnerships in project given its significant effect on project sustainability. They should foster linkages with like-minded stakeholders in project funding and resource management, joint management of projects and collaborative decision making.

Key Words: Consultations, Collaborative Planning, Partnerships, Project Sustainability, Food and Agriculture Organization, Kenya