Project Management Practices and Performance of Smallholder Horticultural Empowerment Projects: a Case of Japan International Corporation Agency Projects in Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate how project management techniques influence the effectiveness of smallholder agricultural empowerment initiatives in Kenya. The objectives that guided the study were; examining the impact of project design on the execution of smallholder horticultural empowerment initiatives in Kenya, determining the impact of stakeholders' engagement on the execution of smallholder horticultural empowerment projects in Kenya, establishing the impact of project implementation on the effectiveness of smallholder horticultural empowerment projects in Kenya, and ascertaining the results of Kenyan smallholder horticulture empowerment programs and the effects of monitoring and assessment. The sample size of the study included 100 farmer groups. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs were used in this research, enabling the researcher to get deeper insights into the project with structured questionnaires. The pilot study in Kiambu County focused on farmers in that region. After data collection, correlation and regression tests were conducted on the data for analysis. Data analysis entailed descriptive statistics expressed as percentages, means, frequencies, and standard deviations, which were analyzed using statistical tools. Parametric Inferential statistics such as ANOVA be used to test hypotheses. Tables were applied in presenting the examined data and interpretations made, and finally, findings and recommendations were used to inform solutions performance of SHEP projects. The study concluded that each of the objectives had a significant influence on the independent variable, and recommendations were made.