| Abstract: | This study has focused on factors affecting the performance of agricultural projects in case of
CRS Ethiopia, considering environmental, socio-economic, technological, and institutional
factors. The methodological approach included both quantitative and qualitative data
integrated through a mixed-method approach. In total, data from 145 respondents were
collected using structured questionnaires and were analyzed with descriptive statistics,
correlation, and regression methods. The findings revealed that the environmental factors
influencing project performance are unfavorable climatic conditions, represented by 96.6%,
followed by declining soil fertility, with 93.8%. Some of the socio-economic barriers identified
include a low level of education, which was 97.2%, while membership in cooperatives was
minimum, at 12.4%. Though there was a high rate of adoption of improved seeds, standing at
83.4%, the use of improved technologies stood at only 6.2% due to high costs and lack of
knowledge. From these, institutional factors explained only about 8.5% in the variation of
project performance, with government support being the only significant variable. These
findings support the literature on the necessity of climate-smart agricultural practices,
improvement in institutional support, and increasing access to education and technology.
Although CRS projects have increased the productivity of farming by 96.6% and house incomes
by 99.3%, there is a need to address systemic challenges for sustaining and scaling success.
Recommendations include climate-smart practices, technology adoption, co-operative
strengthening, and improvement in institutional frameworks. |
