Sustainability of community-based government funded agricultural infrastructure projects in Tanzania: A case of DADP Community Investment Sub-Projects in Korogwe district

A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA. 2017

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.