Abstract

The study examined influence of farmer capacity building in financial resource mobilization on performance of smallholder irrigation projects in Migori County, Kenya. The study adopted pragmatism as its philosophy, and used cross sectional and correlation research design. The target population was 2,815, and comprised farmers from fifteen smallholder irrigation projects that receive water from River Kuja through Lower Kuja Project. The sample size was 341 farmers. The study used systematic random sampling to draw the sample, used questionnaire to collect data, and analyzed data using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that farmer capacity building in financial resource mobilization has a significant influence on performance of smallholder irrigation projects (r = 801, R² = 0.641, F (5, 331) = 118.405, 0.000 < p < 0.05). Therefore, the study concluded that financial resource mobilization is a critical factor in performance of smallholder irrigation projects in Migori County. Consequently, the study recommends that Migori County Government educate farmers in smallholder irrigation projects on loan facilities by financial institutions. Further, the study recommends that Migori County develop a framework to assist farmers in smallholder irrigation projects to qualify for loans facilities operated by financial institutions.

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