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Titre : An investigation into the factors that contributed to the failure of the cassava production, processing and marketing project : a case of Marondera District cassava project in Zimbabwe, 2005 to 2009

Auteur : Zibani Tonnie M.T.

Université de soutenance : Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences

Grade : Master in Management of Development specialising in Social Inclusion, Gender and Rural Livelihoods. 2010

Résumé
As a response to successive droughts experienced in Zimbabwe and the resulting food insecurity, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development initiated the cassava production, processing and marketing project, targeting 50 women in Marondera district in Zimbabwe. The objective of the project was to ensure food security at household level. However observations on the ground show that very few women are growing cassava and the targeted wards still experience the worst food insecurity in the district. This study investigates the reasons that led to the failure of the cassava project so as to improve the future implementation of projects.

This paper reviews theory on cassava, food security, projects critical success factors and the reasons attributed to projects failure. Interviews were held with staff from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, staff from cassava project, project partners and the women beneficiaries in wards 10, 12 up to 18. A focus group discussion was also held with the women beneficiaries in wards 21 and 22. The study found out that the major reasons that contributed to the failure of the cassava project were poor participation of the women beneficiaries throughout the project stages from the identification of their needs, poor and inadequate project management tools, poor planning and unrealistic objectives, inadequate financial resources to finance the project and limited expertise within the organisation spearheading the cassava project. The study also identified that cassava was not common in Zimbabwe and the women beneficiaries also held negative beliefs about cassava, which resulted in fears among the beneficiaries and potential consumers. The absence of a well developed market and absence of a ready market for cassava also frustrated the women’s efforts, commitment towards the crop. The study also found out that the environment was not conducive for the smooth implementation of the project as a result of political, economic, socio cultural, technological and ecological challenges emanating from the environment.

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