End users’ involvement and the performance of economic stimulus fish farming projects in Mwea constituency,Kirinyaga County, Kenya

Abstract

The overall of this study was to establish the relationship between end user involvement and the performance of Economic stimulus programme (ESP) fish farming project in Mwea constituency, Kirinyaga County. The specific objectives guiding the study were, establishing initial planning involvement of end users, resource planning involvement, marketing planning involvement as well monitoring and evaluation involvement of end users and how they relate to performance of the ESP fish farming project. Literature review was done on studies carried out on the parameters influencing success as per the objectives set out. A descriptive survey design was employed with both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The target population of the study was 250 ESP Fish farmers in Mwea constituency. Stratified and convenience sampling technique was used to draw a representative sample of eighty three (83) farmers were drawn from a stratum of six administrative wards using proportionate stratified sampling while the three (3) extension officers on the involved in the project formed part of the sample. Questionnaire, observation guide, structured interviews and focus group meetings were used to collect data from respective participants. Qualitative data collected via questionnaires, focus group discussions and scheduled interviews and it was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and percentage values aided by statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and the findings presented in frequency distribution tables. Key findings of the study included establishment of a positive relationship between initial planning involvement of end users, resource planning involvement, marketing planning involvement as well monitoring and evaluation involvement of end users and success of the Economic Stimulus Programmes fish farming projects. From the study findings and conclusions drawn it is indicative that planning of the resources did not involve the end user leading to poor implementation while lack offend user involvement market planning is likely to have led to poor performance especially in terms of longevity after government withdrawal. The study found that end users were minimally incorporated in planning monitoring and evaluation through preparation of schedules and inspection visits and it did not extend further than visits to farmers to see progress in implementation. Recommendations included the need for project managers to ensure full participation of key identified stakeholders in future similar programmes and the need to clearly identify markets for stakeholders before initiation of similar programmes as this aided in the success of the overall programme. Suggestions for further research included a comparative study of the influence of end user participation on the success of the Economic stimulus (ESP) and similar programmes.