Capacity Building and Project Sustainability in Ngozi Province, Burundi: A Case Study of Agri-Business Project (Prodefi)

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of capacity building towards the sustainability of agribusiness projects in Ngozi province, Burundi. The study used crosssectional research design. It relied more on quantitative approach but was complemented by the qualitative approach in measuring the contribution of capacity building towards the sustainability of agribusiness projects. The data collection instruments used were questionnaires, interview guide and documentary review. The research was conducted in Ngozi province, Burundi. The findings showed that majority (70%) of the respondents acknowledge and commend the role of citizen participation on the sustainability of agribusiness through capacity building. Community involvement and local leaders’ participation is acknowledged by the project beneficiaries at 69.2%. The findings further show that 58% of the beneficiaries of those who attended business planning and management trainings are able to manage the agribusiness project funds and. 54.3% of them acknowledged the promotion of early adoption of new farming technologies by PRODEFI. The study concluded that Capacity Needs Assessment, citizen participation, leadership base and individual skills are four essential elements required in the sustainability of agribusiness projects in Ngozi province. Skills were found to be the main determinant of success or failure followed by preliminary, structured and participatory Capacity Needs assessment activities, followed by the citizen participation in terms of decision making and the implication of local leaders in development initiatives. This study recommends the use of capacity needs assessment in all the capacity development activities as mandatory, preliminary and participatory stage. It also recommends improvement of farmer’s access to planning & management trainings and exposure to new farming technologies to improve individual skills of farmers. The study further recommends involvement of influential local leaders in development initiatives to promote community sense of ownership of the project and encourages projects to promote beneficiaries participation in decision making process to achieve agribusiness project sustainability in Ngozi province, Burundi. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v

ABSTRACT vi

ACCRONYMS xi

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION

1 .0 Introduction

1 Background of the Study 1

1 . I . 1 Historical Perspective 1

1.1 .2 Theoretical Perspectives 3

.1 .3 Conceptual Perspective 4

.1 .4 Contextual Perspective 5

1 .2 Problem Statement 6

1 .3 Purpose of the Study 7

1 .4 Objectives of Study 7

1 .5 Research Questions 7

1.6 Scope of the Study 7

1.6.1 Geographical Scope 7

1.7.3 Content Scope 8

1.7.4 Time Scope 8

1 .8 Significance of the Study 8

1 .9 Operational Definition of Terms 9

CHAPTER TWO 10

LITERATURE REVIEW 10

2.0 Introduction 10

2.1 Theoretical Review 10

vii

2.3 Conceptual Framework .13

2.3 Related Literature Review 14

2.3.1 Capacity Building 14

2.3.2 Project Sustainability 16

2.3.2.1 Institutional Sustainability 17

2.3.2.2 Household and Community Resilience 18

2.3~.2.3 Structural Change 20

2.2.4 Poverty Alleviation 21

2.3.3 The Role of Capacity needs Assessment in Project Sustainability 22

2.3.4 The role of Citizen Participation in Project Sustainability 23

2.3.5 The Effect of Leadership Base on Project Sustainability 24

2.3.6 The Effect of Strengthening Individual Skills on Project Sustainability 26

2.4 Empirical Studies 27

2.5 Gap in Literature 28

CHAPTER THREE 29

METHODOLOGY 29

3.0 Introduction 29

3.1 Research Design 29

3.2 Study Population 29

3.3 Sample Size 30

3.4 Sampling Procedure 30

3.5 Data Sources 30

3.6 Data Collection Methods 31

3.7 Data Collection Tools/Instruments 31

3.7.1 Questionnaires 31

3.7.2 Interview Guide 32

3.8 Validity and Reliability 32

3.8.1 Validity 32

3.8.2 Reliability 32

3.9 Data Gathering Procedure 33

VIII

3.10 Data Ai~aIysis .33

3.11 Ethical Considerations 34

3.12 Limitations of the Study 34

CHAPTER FOUR 36

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION 36

4.0 Introduction 36

4.1 Demographic Data of the Respondents 36

4.3 Field Findings 38

4.3.1 The Contribution of Capacity Needs Assessment to the Sustainability of Agribusiness 38

3.3.3 The Contribution of Improving Individual Skills towards sustainability of 45

4.4 Relationship between Capacity Building and Project Sustainability 48

CHAPTER FIVE 50

DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 50

5.0 Introduction 50

5.1 Discussion of the findings 50

5.2 Conclusion 52

5.3 Recommendations 53

5.4 Suggestions for further Studies 54

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE 64

APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE 68