Assessment of the Delays During Implementation of Selected Agriculture Donor Funded Projects in the Zambian Public Sector

Zambia’s Agricultural sector is crucial to realizing the country's Vision 2030 — an efficient, competitive, and export-driven agricultural sector that ensures food security and higher incomes. This study aimed to assess the delays during the implementation of agriculture donor-funded projects in Zambian public sector. The study was guided by three objectives: (i) to ascertain the effect of stakeholder engagement; (ii) to assess the impact of supplier/contractor capacity; and (iii) to analyze the effect of contract management during the implementation of agriculture donor-funded projects. A descriptive research design and a quantitative approach were adopted, focusing on staff from the Project Implementation Units, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. A sample size of 109 was derived from a population of 120 using stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire set in a 1 to 5 point Likert Scale format. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 30 was used to analysis data. Findings revealed that poor stakeholder engagement was a significant cause of delays, with insufficient understanding of stakeholder expectations and inconsistent involvement often leading to unmet project objectives. The study further found that supplier/contractor capacity was critical to minimizing delays, while many contract managers faced challenges due to work overload, inadequate capacity, and lack of skills. Drawing on international best practices, especially from other African contexts, the study highlighted effective engagement strategies to improve project outcomes in Zambia. These include prioritizing tailored stakeholder engagement strategies supported with a strong policy framework, providing continuous training for PIU staff, appointing independent technical evaluation committees to rigorously assess the technical and financial capabilities of suppliers, and recruiting full-time contract managers for effective contract management oversight.