10.57647/ijamad.2025.1502.11

Project Management Skills, Monitoring and Evaluation Practices, and Performance of Youth Agro pastoral Entrepreneurship Projects in Bertoua, Cameroon

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  • Babit Gilbert Foncham*1,2,
  • Foncham Linda Konnant3,
  • Mathieu Duclos Fogang4,
  1. Department of HND Agricultural Engineering, École Supérieure des Technologies et Industries Siantou (ESTIS), Institut Universitaire Siantou (IUS) – L’École des Majors, Mvog Mbi (Lieu-dit Coron), B.P. 04 Yaoundé, Cameroun
  2. Center for Scientific Research, Human Rights and Development (CENSREHURD), Yaoundé, Cameroon
  3. Department of Environmental Sciences , Higher Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bamenda University of Science and Technology
  4. Department of Agricultural Engineering, -École Supérieure des Technologies et Industries Siantou (ESTIS), Institut Universitaire Siantou (IUS) – B.P. 04 Yaoundé, Cameroun
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Received: 05-02-2025

Revised: 05-06-2025

Accepted: 29-06-2025

Published in Issue 30-06-2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Babit Gilbert Foncham (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Foncham, B. G., Konnant, F. L., & Fogang, M. D. (2025). Project Management Skills, Monitoring and Evaluation Practices, and Performance of Youth Agro pastoral Entrepreneurship Projects in Bertoua, Cameroon. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.57647/ijamad.2025.1502.11
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Abstract

Youth unemployment is a major socio-economic issue in Cameroon, particularly in rural areas such as Bertoua. This study examines how project management skills and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices influence the performance of youth agropastoral entrepreneurship projects. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 180 participants—150 youth entrepreneurs and 30 key informants—through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS, while qualitative data were thematically coded using NVivo. Results showed that most participants were single, aged 25–30, with at least secondary education, and had 1–3 years of farming experience. Although 62.7% had access to finance, a significant funding gap remained. High mean scores in planning (M = 4.32) and leadership (M = 4.21) reflected strong project management capacities. Strong correlations were observed between project management, M&E practices, and outcomes, with planning (r = 0.61) and data use (r = 0.57) emerging as key predictors. Regression analysis indicated that these factors explained 48% of project performance and 51% of outcomes. The study concludes that effective project management and robust M&E practices significantly enhance the performance and sustainability of youth agropastoral projects in Bertoua. It recommends expanding training opportunities, improving access to finance, establishing local support centers, and fostering public-private partnerships to address challenges and strengthen youth entrepreneurship.

Keywords

  • Youth entrepreneurship, Project management, Agropastoral development, Cameroon
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