DETERMINANTS OF THE UPTAKE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES BY SMALL-HOLDER FARMERS IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID LANDS OF KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF LAIKIPIA COUNTY

Abstract

The study investigated the determinants of the uptake of agricultural water management techniques by small holder farmers in Laikipia County. A mixed methods research design was used with a sample of 100 farmers. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents of qualitative data while purposive sampling was used to select respondents of quantitative data. Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaires while qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Analysis of quantitative data was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 26. Quantitative data was presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo software version 12 and presented in verbatim. The correlation analysis showed education (β=4.293), belonging to a farmer group (β=2.895), access to credit (β=2.032), access to extension (β=2.696) among other factors influenced the uptake of water management techniques positively. The study further identified opportunities available to enhance the uptake of water management techniques such as ground water exploitation, investing in e-extension to train farmers and intensifying surface runoff harvesting. The study recommends the allocation of more resources towards farmer education by the government, building of robust weather forecast systems by the meteorological department and creation of Public Private Partnerships to provide farmers with credit at affordable rates in order to support those with financial constraints in investing in water management techniques.