Stakeholder Engagement and Implementation of Agricultural Mechanization Initiatives: a Case of Tea Harvesting Machines Project at Kaptumo Tea Factory, Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

Agricultural mechanization is often touted by policy makers as reducing the drudgery associated with agricultural work and as increasing the productivity of the farming system, especially in contexts where traditional technologies appear to be stagnant. This study examined the influence of stakeholder engagement on the implementation of the tea plucking machines among small scale tea farmers in Kaptumo Tea factory in Nandi County. This study was guided by four specific objectives namely; To examine the influence of Stakeholder involvement in initiation on implementation of agricultural mechanization project: a case of tea harvesting among KTDA smallholder farmers; To establish the influence of stakeholder engagement in planning on implementation of agricultural mechanization project: a case of tea harvesting among KTDA smallholder farmers; To determine the influence of Stakeholder Engagement in execution of agricultural mechanization project: a case of tea harvesting among KTDA smallholder farmers; To examine the influence of stakeholder engagement in monitoring and evaluation and evaluation on implementation of agricultural mechanization project: a case of tea harvesting among KTDA smallholder farmers. The research was guided by descriptive survey research design. The target population was the tea farmers who supply their green leaf tea to Kaptumo Tea Factory which is a satellite of Chebut tea factory Co.ltd in Nandi County. The target population for this study was drawn from six (6) Zonal areas of the tea factory namely Siginuai Zone, Kaptumo Zone, Chepkaos Zone, Kipkenyo Zone, Koyo Zone, Ndurio Zone, factory directors and Agriculture extension officers. Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used in this study. Data was collected by use of a questionnaire and interview guide. Validity and reliability of the instruments was done. The quantitative data was analysed by statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) into descriptive statistics. The qualitative data was analysed by use of themes. Key conclusions and recommendations were drawn. The research concludes that stakeholder engagement at the initiation phase substantially influences implementation of agricultural mechanization project among farmers in Kaptumo Tea factory. Planning phase, Execution influences and Monitoring and evaluation influence implementation of agricultural mechanization project. This research recommends that project managers in Kaptumo should continue enhancing the engagement with the communities for the success of agriculture mechanization project at Kaptumo Tea Factory. This ought to involve all phases of project lifecycle starting from initiation, planning execution and monitoring and evaluation. This will ensure projects are being implemented in a proper way for full utilization of new technologies.