Stakeholders’ Engagement Levels and Performance of Agricultural Projects: A Case of One Acre Fund in Muhanga District, Rwanda
Marie Alice Mukundente & Naomi Njoroge
School of Business and Economics
Mount Kigali University, Kigali, Rwanda
Email: mukualice16@gmail.com
Abstract: Agriculture remains a key pillar of Rwanda’s economy, contributing significantly to Gross Domestic Product and providing employment for a large proportion of the population. One Acre Fund supports smallholder farmers in Muhanga District through structured stakeholder engagement; however, the extent to which such engagement influences agricultural project performance remains insufficiently established. This study examined the influence of stakeholder engagement on the performance of agricultural projects implemented by One Acre Fund in Muhanga District, Rwanda. Guided by Stakeholder Theory, the study adopted a mixed-methods descriptive research design. The target population comprised 171 stakeholders, including project managers, coordinators, field officers, agronomists, and farmers. A sample of 120 respondents was selected using Slovin’s formula and proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document reviews and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and thematic analysis. Findings revealed a high level of stakeholder engagement, with an overall mean score of 4.41, while representation in decision-making recorded the highest rating (M = 4.54). Stakeholder engagement was significantly and positively correlated with farmers’ resilience (r = .786, p < .001), crop yields (r = .743, p < .001), beneficiaries’ satisfaction (r = .676, p < .001), and profitability (r = .579, p < .001). Regression analysis further demonstrated that stakeholder engagement significantly predicted agricultural project performance (β = .591, p < .001). The study concludes that stakeholder engagement is a critical determinant of agricultural project success. It recommends strengthening inclusive participation, continuous feedback mechanisms, and stakeholder consultation frameworks to enhance agricultural project implementation and outcomes.
