| dc.description.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. | en_US |
