Influence of Stakeholder Engagement on the Performance of Post-Harvest and Agribusiness Support Project in Kamonyi District, Rwanda
Joel Mugabo & Ruth Odengo
University of Kigali
Email: Joelmugabo@gmail.com
Abstract: This study examines the impact of stakeholder engagement in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) on the performance of the Post-Harvest and Agribusiness Support Project (PASP) in Kamonyi District, Rwanda. The research explores how effective stakeholder involvement in M&E practices influences key project outcomes, including the timely identification of issues, resource management, and overall project success. Employing a descriptive research design with a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The target population comprised 196 respondents, including MINAGRI staff, rural project staff, technicians, and government officials managing PASP. Convenience sampling and a census method were employed for efficiency, given the small population size. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 21. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation of 0.895** between stakeholder engagement in M&E and improved project performance, highlighting a strong relationship between these two variables. This correlation suggests that as stakeholder engagement in M&E activities increases, project performance significantly improves. Furthermore, the model summary shows an R Square value of 0.748, indicating that 74.8% of the variance in project performance can be explained by M&E activities, underscoring their substantial impact on project outcomes. Regression analysis also shows that project monitoring and evaluation are vital for shaping positive project results, with the coefficient for M&E activities significantly contributing to project performance. However, challenges were noted in integrating evaluation results into decision-making processes and effectively communicating these findings to stakeholders. The study concludes with recommendations for improving the integration of evaluation results into decision-making, enhancing stakeholder engagement in M&E activities, and ensuring a balanced and strategic approach to monitoring that optimizes project performance. These measures are aimed at improving the effectiveness and sustainability of PASP and similar development projects.
