Abstract: The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of utilization of baseline survey as a monitoring and evaluation tool and sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya. A pragmatic research paradigm was adopted and a descriptive survey research design was utilized. The target population was 59 smallholder farmer groups and 24 Caritas Meru staff. The sample size was 51 smallholder farmer groups and the total sample size was 177 respondents comprising (153 group leaders and 24 project officers). The data collection tools were questionnaire and interview guide. The collected data were coded and entered into the SPSS version 26 program for analysis. The qualitative data was analyzed by way of grouping similar responses together and identifying the main themes from them. The linear +0regression and Pearson’s correlation (r) methods were utilized to evaluate the link between various variables. The multiple linear regression models determined the link between dependent and independent variables together with the moderating effect of the moderating variable. It is also used as the inferential statistics that inform the decision to reject or not reject the alternative hypothesis for the research study. The study found out that utilization of baseline survey (R2 
=0.572 t=18.152 P=0.000˂0.05) had a statistically significant influence on the sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya. The study concluded that baseline surveys influence the sustainability of community agricultural projects supported by Caritas in Meru County, Kenya. The study recommended that organizations dealing with the community project should utilize as many M&E tools as possible to enhance sustainability
Keywords: community agricultural projects, smallholder farmer groups, M&E tools.
Title: UTILIZATION OF BASELINE SURVEY AS A MONITORING AND EVALUATION TOOL AND SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY CARITAS IN MERU COUNTY, KENYA
Author: JULIUS KABURU AGOSTINO, PROFESSOR DOROTHY NDUNGE KYALO, DR ANGELINA SABINA MULWA
International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD)
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