Participatory monitoring and evaluation, fieldworkers’ practices and rural community participation: the case of PADEP in Korogwe District, Tanga region

This study investigated fieldworkers’ use of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) and community participation in a PADEP in Korogwe District, Tanga region. Fieldworkers’ use of PM&E and community participation in a PADEP is associated with several factors. A descriptive case study was undertaken in Korogwe District, Tanga region to investigate fieldworkers’ use of Participatory Monitory and Evaluation (PM&E) and community participation in a PADEP. A combination of both secondary and primary sources of data were questionnaires, face-to-face interviews schedules, observation checklist and Focus Group Discussions guide. Secondary data was obtained from different sources including the University of Dar es Salaam main library, IDS library, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the District Agricultural and Livestock Development Officer (DALDO) of Korogwe District. Overall a total of 80 respondents were included in the study. The study revealed that PM&E was successfully implemented as fieldworkers were knowledgeable on the subject matter and imparted these to the local community members. Because of this, the level of agricultural productivity increased and rural people livelihoods welfare were improved. However, due to various factors such as unavailability of resources such as funds, socio cultural factors, and low perceived self efficacy toward meeting targets were major constraints in the implementation of PADEP. Consequently, the study recornmends that, it is imperative for local council together with DALDO to educate both fieldworkers’ and community members not only on use of PM&E, but also on how to track down finances brought to them for development and to evaluate their project successes. In addition, Korogwe District Council should use research based evidence in allowing financial resources to solve rural people needs to enhance rural development. Furthermore, project designers should critically analyze the rural settings to include power relation in order to resolve conflicts that may arise when introducing projects.