Logical Framework, Project Environment Enablers and Sustainability of Caritas Projects in Meru County, Kenya

The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of utilization of logical framework as monitoring and evaluation tool on sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya with project environment enablers as a moderating effect. A pragmatic research paradigm and a descriptive survey research design were adopted. The target population was 59 smallholder farmer groups and 24 Caritas Meru staff. The sample size was 51 smallholder farmer groups andthe total sample size was 177 respondents comprising 153 group leaders and 24 project officers.The data collection tools were questionnaire and an interview guide. The collected data were coded and entered into the SPSS 5th edition for analysis. The qualitative data was analyzed by way of grouping similar responses together and identifying the main themes from them. The multiple linear regression models were used to determine the link between dependent and independent variables. The study found out that utilization of Logical Framework (R^(2 )=0.438 t=32.892 P=0.000˂0.05) had a statistically significant influence on the sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya. The findings revealed that there was a positive correlation r=0.256 between the project environment enablers and the sustainability of community agricultural projects.The study found out that the relationship between utilization of logical framework and sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya depended on the project environment enablers. The researcher recommends that organizations dealing with the community project should utilize logical framework as monitoring and evaluation tool, factor in project environment enablers in project plan, and involve critical stakeholders. They should also train farmer groups’ leaders on leadership and management skills, train farmers on utilisation of information communication technology such as use of internet. They should train farmers on record keeping and conflict management practices to avoid collapse of groups.The researcher suggests that a similar study be undertaken to find out the influence of other monitoring and evaluation tools on sustainability of community projects. A comparable study including other non-governmental organizations working on community agricultural projects is advised.