Anchoring Sustainability: The Role of Goal Management in Rural Agricultural Projects

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural practices are vital for
supporting rural livelihood and addressing
environmental challenges, particularly in resourceconstrained regions such as Tanzania’s Momba District.
Despite various initiatives, many agricultural projects
in rural areas fail to achieve long-term sustainability
due to ineffective goal management practices. This
study examines the impact of goal management—
focusing on goal clarity, alignment with sustainability
objectives, and adaptability—on the sustainability of
agricultural projects. Adopting a quantitative research
approach, data were collected from 154 farmers and
project managers in the Momba District, and multiple
regression analysis was employed to explore the
relationship between goal management practices and
sustainability outcomes. The results revealed that goal
management significantly enhances sustainability, with
factors such as adaptability to climate and market
changes, clear goal-setting, and regular evaluation
emerging as the most critical contributors. These
findings highlight the importance of integrating
responsive and structured goal management practices
to foster resilience and meet community sustainability
needs. The study recommends that project managers and
policymakers in Tanzania develop robust frameworks to
enhance goal clarity, adaptability, and continuous
monitoring, thereby improving project outcomes and
ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability