Factors influencing intensity of adoption of integrated water management innovations in the semi-arid areas of north-eastern, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2014-11-30
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The semi-arid areas of north-eastern Tanzania are faced by regular incidences of intra-seasonal dry spells which pose
negatively impact on crop yields. The situation has forced farmers to practice different types of innovations including in situ capture
and management of rainwater. collection, concentration, diversion and/or storage of run-off to mitigate the problems. This paper
examines the main l'actors influencing intensity of adoption of water management innovations. The study was conducted through a
cross-sectional survey in Makanya watershed. involving 234 farmers. Censored Tobit model was used to estimate the coefficients of
intensity of adoption of the innovations. Intensity of adoption of the innovations was found to be between two and four. Most
households (78.3%) had at least two innovations per plot, such as diversion canals. borders basin (sunken beds) and large planting
pits. complimented with use of farm-yard manure, deep tillage. mulching and cover crops. The adoption intensity was higher in the
uplands, with more than 56.7% of farmers having tour or more innovations in their farms compared to 30.8% and 41.7% in the
lowlands and midlands, respectively. Group networking. years spent in formal education, respondent's age and agricultural
information pathways were found to be the major factors influencing the adoption intensity at farm-level. Considering these factors
in the scaling out of the innovations is expected to improve their adoption and thus intensify management of water resources in
semi-arid watersheds with similar settings like Makanya. This is critical for an effective promotion of best practices of integrated
water management systems at landscape level.
Description
International Journal of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources 2014: Vol. I(5): pp. 227-234
Keywords
Water system innovations, Management, Rainwater, Smallholder, Water resources