Assessment of rain water harvesting technologies for improved food security in Kauwi sub-location, Kitui County

Abstract

Water is an essential natural resource, vital for any development to take place. However, not more than one percent of the water is freely available for human needs including agricultural production in the entire world. Arid and semi-arid lands globally are facing water scarcity challenges. Rain- fed agricultural system is the major farming method in these areas, but this has been challenged greatly by aridity and climatic uncertainty. Kitui County is an ASAL where farmers are experiencing little annual rainfall averagely as well as varying temporal and spatial rainfall supply hence the need to evaluate use of rain water harvesting technologies in the area. The main aim of this study was to assess rain water harvesting technologies for enhanced security of food in Kauwi sub-location, Kitui County. Specifically, the study aimed at studying the extent of utilization of the rain water harvesting technologies, factors that influence utilization of rain water harvesting technologies and exploring farmers’ perception of effectiveness of rain water harvesting technologies in Kauwi sub-location, Kitui County. The study adopted a survey design. Random sampling was used to identify the villages and systematic sampling applied in selecting the households to be interviewed. Data was collected through personal observation and administering interview schedules to a sample size of 160 households. From the logistic regression model, Zai pits variation was explained at 45% and cases correctly predicted at 93.1% where age p<0.05, B=0.11 and land size, p<0.05, B=0.56 were factors that significantly influenced its utilization. This study has generated information to be used by the farmers to help in prioritizing factors that influence decision on utilizing rain water harvesting technologies. The ministry of agriculture can use this information as a guideline for designing agricultural developments strategies. The Policymakers can use this information to develop agricultural policies.