Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation Practices on Performance of Tobacco Contract Farming Projects in Katavi Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Monitoring and Evaluation is globally used in assessing the project’s use of limited resources, transparency, improved service provision,  value for money and accountability. The study’s main objective was to determine the influence of monitoring and evaluation practices on  performance of tobacco contract farming projects in Katavi region, Tanzania. Whereas the specific objectives were to: determine the  effect of M&E human resource capacity; establish the effect of M&E technical expertise; and determine the effect of stakeholder involvement in M&E processes team. The study used Resource Based Theory; Dynamic Capabilities Theory; and Theory of Change that  were related to the study’s independent variables. Explanatory research design and crosssectional strategy were used. The sample frame  was purposively chosen while the 132 respondents sample size was selected using simple random sampling. Descriptive and  inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The results indicated that M&E human resource capacity and M&E technical expertise were not significant. However, stakeholder involvement in M&E processes team was significant. The study recommends that the  Agricultural and Marketing Cooperative Societies should establish all the M&E related policies, M&E plan framework, M&E department  with all necessary resources while embracing results-based management, participatory Monitoring and Evaluation and information &  communication technology.