Abstract:
The main aim of this study was to assess the role of communication in the performance of
agricultural donor funded projects using Research, Community and Organizational
Development Associates (RECODA) as a case study. Generally, the study established the
types of project information shared by various actors in the RECODA donor funded
agricultural projects; examined the effectiveness of various communication channels;
assessed the relationship between communication and performance of RECODA
agricultural projects; and identified barriers to effective communication among actors in
RECODA donor funded agricultural projects. A cross-sectional research design was
adopted whereby primary data were collected using a questionnaire administered to 120
randomly selected respondents. Primary data were also collected through key informants
interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). In addition, secondary data were
collected through evaluation of reports. The analysis of data was done using the
International Business Machine Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS). The
key findings of the research envisaged that communication in RECODA project was
meetings and communication channels effectiveness had a linear relationship with the
result and information stakeholders’ satisfaction. Furthermore, all the four communication
indicators that are communication flow, communication channels, communication
management tools and quality of the information had a positive linear statistical
relationship with the performance indicators’ thus, stakeholders’ satisfaction on the
information provided and stakeholders’ satisfactions on the results of the project. The
barriers of communication were not highly rated. Conclusively, communication has been
observed as having relationship with the performance. That is, all the communication
elements those are communication flow, communication channels, communication
management tools and quality of the information had a role in the performance of
RECODA project. It is therefore, recommended that project planners should invest on
their project’s communication process in the project for better performance of the same.
