Sustainability of community-based government funded agricultural infrastructure projects in Tanzania: A case of DADP Community Investment Sub-Projects in Korogwe district
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Date
2017
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study intended to establish the institutional determinants of sustainability of DADP
community-based investment sub-projects in Korogwe District. A cross-sectional design
was adopted and a mixed methods research approach was used. Three hundred and sixty
one farmers/livestock-keepers participated in the study. The data collection methods
which were used included questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, key informant
interviews and direct observations. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches
were used for data analysis. The key findings show that except for one sub-project; the
other sub-projects which were covered in this study were not sustainable. Furthermore,
although most of the actors were aware of the concept of sustainability, they still could not
demonstrate the knowledge about the concept of sustainability. Key challenges in
achieving sustainability of agricultural sub-projects include weak institutional
arrangements, poor enforcement of by-laws as well as non-adherence to sub-project
constitutions. The analysis revealed further that regular monitoring, accountability of sub
project committee, and decision making process influenced sustainability of the
implemented sub-projects. The study concludes that except for one sub-project the other
sub-projects covered in this study were not sustainable. Although most actors involved in
the implementation of community-based projects were aware of the concept of
sustainability, they still could not demonstrate their knowledge about it. Weak institutional
arrangements including poor enforcement of by-laws as well as norms and non-adherence
of constitutions were the challenges in the management of sub-project. Furthermore,
regular monitoring, sub-project committee accountability, decision making, and actors’
awareness of their roles significantly influence sustainability of the sub-projects. In view
of these observations, the study recommends that assessment of sustainability of the implemented community-based interventions should be conducted at a local level to
ensure that long-term objectives of the interventions are realized. Also, there is a need of
building the capacity of actors in the implementation of agricultural interventions to help
them gain the knowledge of the concept of sustainability so as to enhance the
sustainability of interventions. Strengthening of the institutional arrangements for the
implementation of community-based intervention should be given adequate attention to
ensure that proper implementation mechanisms are employed to safeguard the
sustainability of projects. The factors influencing sustainability such as regular monitoring
of activities and accountability of sub-project committees should be given special attention
to enhance sustainability of the projects.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF
AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA. 2017
Keywords
Community-based sustainability, Government funded agricultural, Agricultural infrastructure projects, DADP Community Investment, Sub-Projects, Kongwa District, Tanzania