Stakeholder Engagement Strategies on Agricultural Project Performance

Stakeholder engagement is a critical determinant of project success, with ineffective strategies contributing to failures worldwide. Despite some progress, research remains scarce on the specific strategies contributing to sustainable outcomes in Rwanda. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of stakeholders' engagement strategies on performance of agricultural projects in Rutsiro District, Rwanda: A Case of KOICA Project. The Specific objectives of the study include: To assess the effect of collaboration, involvement, empowerment and consultation strategy on performance of agricultural projects in Rutsiro District, Rwanda. The study was grounded on Stakeholder Theory. The study used descriptive and correlational research design. The target population includes 2,179 stakeholders from KOICA, with a sample size of 338 respondents. The pilot study aimed to enhance the validity and reliability of the research tools by pre-testing the questionnaire and interview guide with 34 respondents, representing 10% of the sample size. Validity was confirmed through expert evaluation, yielding a content validity index of 0.89 while Reliability was established using the split-half technique, achieving a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.84, demonstrating the instruments' consistency and appropriateness for data collection. Descriptive statistics of percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of Correlation and Regression were done at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS version 28 while thematic content analysis of qualitative data was done for triangulation. The findings for four hypotheses were tested at ?=.05 level of significance and the results were: Collaboration Strategy (P=0.000<0.05), Involvement Strategy (P=0.000<0.05), Empowerment Strategy (P=0.000<0.05) and, Consultation Strategy (P=0.000<0.05) on Performance of Agricultural Projects were rejected. The study concludes that the performance of agricultural projects in Rutsiro District is significantly influenced by collaboration, involvement, empowerment, and consultation strategies. To enhance project outcomes, the study recommends developing structured frameworks for resource sharing, fostering participatory decision-making, expanding capacity-building programs, and strengthening feedback mechanisms to improve stakeholder engagement and inclusivity.