Critical Factors Hindering Agricultural Growth Program in Jimma Zone

Abstract

The Agricultural growth project in Jimma Zone has not been efficient and effective in projects delivery. Projects are costly and high-risk undertakings that need to accomplish by certain date, for a certain amount of money and within some expected level of performance. Considerable percentages of projects are failing behind schedule. This informed the purpose of study which was to examine the influence of project critical hindering factors and hinder of Agricultural Growth Projects in Jimma Zone. The study used a mixed method approach, which embraced both qualitative and quantitative approaches including hypothesis testing. The target populations for the study were seven woredas of Jimma Zones, which benefited from the Agricultural Growth Program. Goma, Limu seka and Omo Neda woredas that sample 267-sample representative of total population was drawn. The used a questionnaire and an interview schedule as the main instruments of data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in frequency tables while qualitative data was presented in narrative form. Hypotheses were tested using linear regression at 0.05 levels of significance to determine the degree and direction of relationships among variables. The study attained Cronbach Alpha of coefficient of 0.99 for all items implying that the instrument was reliable. The results showed that statically and practically significant influence of combined critical hindering factors on project hinder. The multiple regression coefficients was .98, indicating approximately 96% of the variance of the project hinder could be accounted for combined critical hindering factors in Jimma Zone. Based on ranking the research findings revealed that Project organization and leadership related factors at beta value .64, Project characteristics related factors at beta value .23 and External environment related factors at beta .15 are critical hindering factors, which are hindering agricultural growth project performance in Jimma Zone. This calls for develop project manager’s technical expertise, commitment, timely communication and consistence to project work. In addition, top management approval of project plan and allocate sufficient resources for the project on time and fully involved in project work to enhance project performance are important. In order to carried out project within schedule in adherence to budget, in the required quality and satisfy customers timely availability of funds, materials and equipment are a prerequisite. To enhance right personnel for the project, quality and affordable materials and equipment procurement procedures should follow competitively. Continuous agricultural growth projects audit of funds allocated to guide proper usage of project funds and avoid pilferages. Policy guideline integrating critical aspects that, influence agricultural growth projects completion / hindering performance are the suggested strategies. The study also recommends the ministry of Agricultural and Natural resources should provide policy guideline integrating critical aspects that influence agricultural growth projects completion /performance.