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Article Title:
Factors Influencing Farmers' Decisions to Adapt Rain Water Harvesting Techniques in Keiyo District, Kenya
by Florence. A. Murgor, James O. Owino, Grace J. Cheserek, Christopher K. Saina

Abstract:
In the last few decades, rain water harvesting techniques have been used in arid and semi-arid parts of the World and promising results have been achieved in terms of increasing yield. However, in Keiyo district the techniques for water harvesting are being practiced at a low rate; leading to insufficient availability of water for domestic and irrigation purposes. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors that influence farmers? decisions on adaption of rain water harvesting techniques in Keiyo district. The specific objectives were: to determine the technical factors influencing farmers? decisions to adopt rain water harvesting techniques; to determine the socio-economic factors influencing farmers? decisions and to suggest policy recommendations to create awareness for farmers and to provide technical/ institutional support for farmers in rain water harvesting. This study was done in Keiyo district using field surveys, structured and semi-structured interviews, farmers? group meetings and interviews with key informants. A descriptive statistical analysis approach was used for assessing the real causes of low adoption rates for rain water harvesting techniques in the district. Data was collected on information regarding household?s socio - economic characteristics and human capital. The finding of this study shows that: poor capital and human endowment; lack of access to credit; involvement in off-farm activities; negative perception; gender issues; inaccessibility of construction materials and lack of technical know-how are among the factors that influenced adoption of rain water harvesting technologies. The respondents? level of education and involvement in social responsibilities were found to positively influence the adoption of the rain water harvesting techniques. The study recommends the need to develop concrete measures to create awareness for farmers and provide technical and institutional support for farmers.

Keywords: water harvesting, rain water and irrigation, household water storage, semi-arid water management

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