Determinants of the Adoption of Water Harvesting Technologies in the Marginal Areas of Nakuru District, Kenya: The Case of Trench and Water Pan Technologies

Abstract

A priority concern in the marginal areas of Kenya is food security, which can be achieved through the development of technologies relevant to dry-land farming with a strong component of water management. One area where runoff harvesting technologies have been promoted extensively over the last few years is Lare division of Nakuru district where several institutions initiated an integrated system of technology generation and transfer to promote water harvesting from runoff. The objective of the study was to investigate factors, which influence adoption of runoff harvesting technologies. A Probit model was used to analyze primary farm level data collected from a sample of 124 farmers chosen through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Trained enumerators administered structured questionnaires that detailed information on the adoption status of the farmer, socio-economic data and household demographics. Results of the Probit analysis show that farm income, farm size, labour requirement, and education of spouses significantly influenced adoption of water harvesting technologies. The study draws some policy recommendations. Keywords: Water harvesting: Adoption Technology, Semi-arid, Runoff. Eastern African Journal of Rural Development