factors influencing implementation of rice farming intensification project in karusi province, burundi

Abstract

Food security is an issue concerning the whole world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Several projects were implemented in response to the threat. The success of these projects depends on several fundamental factors. This study evaluated the factors influencing implementation of rice farming intensification project in Karusi province, Burundi. The study was prompted by low production of rice in Burundi, even when countries like Rwanda and Sri Lanka with comparable environment are recording higher returns. The study evaluated the SRI project introduced by PAIVA-B 2010. The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors responsible of implementation of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Burundi. Specifically, the study examined the influence of management competence factors on project implementation; determined the influence of project characteristics on project implementation; identified the influence of organizational factors on project implementation and finally explored the influence of external environment factors on project implementation. The study was based on the complexity theory and the new framework for determining critical success or failure factors in project. It used the mixed method approach which involves the combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study adopted a descriptive research design where the questionnaires and interview schedules were used as research instruments. The target population was the rice farmers of Karusi province who are beneficiaries of the project and operators of Nyabiho marshland. The target population was 2612 households from which the sample size of 190 households was determined using a formula provided by Yamane. Five project team members were interviewed. In the selection of the study sample, it used the simple random sampling techniques and each member of the population had equal chance to be selected. The Cronbach alpha reliability was acceptable at 0.73. The hypotheses were tested using Spearman’s rho correlation. The study found out that there was a strong positive relationship between management competence [r=.759, n=190, p<.001], project characteristics [r=.518, n=190, p<.001], external environment factors [r=.590, n=190, p<.001] and the success of the system of rice intensification. This indicates that an increase in competence of management, project size, value, uniqueness, external environment factors lead to an adequate success of SRI. It also found out that there was no relationship between organizational factors and success [r=.147, n=190, p=.043] as the p value was >.001. The findings of the study shall be beneficial to the PAIVA-B project and other similar projects and for the government of Burundi. It will also be beneficial to other researchers in the field of project management especially those interested in factors that promote or inhibit the successful implementation of agricultural projects and novel farming techniques. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the project managers and all stakeholders give the community members the opportunity to participate during the planning phase. It is also recommended that the government invest more in farming project so as to increase farmer’s income.