Abstract:
4,d.oPtion,oj. tech,!ology.is an importantfactor in economic development especia.lly.' in developing
fountries~ s.ucc,essful introduction of technologies in d~eloping countries requires an understanding
gf .the prioriti~s and concerns of smallholder fanners at the grassroots. This. paper analyses the
soc,io-economic factors t~at influence the adoption of rain water harvesting (RWH) technologies tli
!ye~te,!, Pare lowlands of Tanzania. Data for the study. were collected from 70 smallholder farmers
{'! Kifar;uandLembeni viilages. These data were fitted in Probit and Logit models. ,The results of the
Rrobit model are used to explain adoption of RWH in Western Pare lowlands because it produced
b§tte[ fits compa'red with the Logit model. The results of the probit model shows that/arm size,
nUmber .oj family members working in the fann, experience in fanning, and extent of knowledge in
RWH techniques were significant in explaining 'the inte1}sity of adoption ofRWH techniques. Regarding
farmers perceived technology ch.ara~cteristics, the results show thaUanners' appreciation .of RWH as
a factor contributing to increased crop yield was positively and significantly explaining the intensity qt q,d.option o/RWH. This suggests that.!ligher yieltJS, attain(!d with the use ofRWH techniques will
enc(Jurage adoption of the (echniques. It is therefore.recommended that·efforts to promote the use of
RWH techniques shQuld go together with. the use of other recommended improved inputs to bring
higher returns to farmers.
