Influence of International Donor Funding Strategy on Poverty Alleviation: a Case of Technoserve Kenya

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine influence of international donor funding strategy on poverty alleviation: a case of Technoserve Kenya. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The study targeted farmers who were beneficiaries of Technoserve Kenya’s Yieldwise project that was funded by Rockefeller foundation. The study employed the use of purposive sampling. The study therefore targeted 55 famers who formed part of the study respondents with focus on Machakos County. The data for the study was collected using a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using quantitative methods. Factor analysis was utilized, which is a statistical method used to describe the variability among the variables observed, correlated in terms of a lower number that is potentially unobserved known as a factor. The study found that the respondents had done farming for a sizeable duration of time and thus could offer reliable information. The study found that the key benefits accrued from international donor funding included: quality of my produce has guaranteed my access to a ready market with, access to agricultural extension services, improved access to financial support, and through Yieldwise project, I am able to access a ready market for my farm produce. The study concluded that international donor funded project led to improved market access, access to finance, and access to agricultural extension services. The study recommended that the management of Technoserve should support poverty alleviation through the agriculture by ensuring that the employees are committed to the course and that they are trained on how well they can well use the donor funding to ensure that the farmers get the best services for maximum yield. For the successful of poverty alleviation Technoserve needs to align its operation in relation to what the farmers actually require. The study also recommended that Technoserve need to have adequate resources which are well coined to poverty alleviation through agriculture. The management should ensure that every step of strategy implementation and its objectives is allocated adequate resources as well as the personnel to ensure that farmers benefit maximum.