Abstract:
The Agricultural growth project in Jimma Zone has not been efficient and effective in
projects delivery. Projects are costly and high-risk undertakings that need to
accomplish by certain date, for a certain amount of money and within some expected
level of performance. Considerable percentages of projects are failing behind
schedule. This informed the purpose of study which was to examine the influence of
project critical hindering factors and hinder of Agricultural Growth Projects in
Jimma Zone. The study used a mixed method approach, which embraced both
qualitative and quantitative approaches including hypothesis testing. The target
populations for the study were seven woredas of Jimma Zones, which benefited from
the Agricultural Growth Program. Goma, Limu seka and Omo Neda woredas that
sample 267-sample representative of total population was drawn. The used a
questionnaire and an interview schedule as the main instruments of data collection.
Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and
presented in frequency tables while qualitative data was presented in narrative form.
Hypotheses were tested using linear regression at 0.05 levels of significance to
determine the degree and direction of relationships among variables. The study
attained Cronbach Alpha of coefficient of 0.99 for all items implying that the
instrument was reliable. The results showed that statically and practically significant
influence of combined critical hindering factors on project hinder. The multiple
regression coefficients was .98, indicating approximately 96% of the variance of the
project hinder could be accounted for combined critical hindering factors in Jimma
Zone. Based on ranking the research findings revealed that Project organization and
leadership related factors at beta value .64, Project characteristics related factors at
beta value .23 and External environment related factors at beta .15 are critical
hindering factors, which are hindering agricultural growth project performance in
Jimma Zone. This calls for develop project manager’s technical expertise,
commitment, timely communication and consistence to project work. In addition, top
management approval of project plan and allocate sufficient resources for the project
on time and fully involved in project work to enhance project performance are
important. In order to carried out project within schedule in adherence to budget, in
the required quality and satisfy customers timely availability of funds, materials and
equipment are a prerequisite. To enhance right personnel for the project, quality and
affordable materials and equipment procurement procedures should follow
competitively. Continuous agricultural growth projects audit of funds allocated to
guide proper usage of project funds and avoid pilferages. Policy guideline integrating
critical aspects that, influence agricultural growth projects completion / hindering
performance are the suggested strategies. The study also recommends the ministry of
Agricultural and Natural resources should provide policy guideline integrating
critical aspects that influence agricultural growth projects completion /performance.