Factors influencing adoption of rainwater harvesting technologies in Habaswein - Wajir County

Abstract

This study assesses the adoption and effectiveness of rainwater harvesting technologies (RWHT) for climate-resilient fodder production in Habaswein Sub-County in Wajir County, where chronic water scarcity continues to threaten fodder availability and the sustainability of pastoralist livelihoods. Grounded in the Sustainable Livelihoods Theory (SLT), the research examines how RWHT contributes to strengthening the five key livelihood assets that include: the natural, the physical, the human, the financial, and the social capital-within a highly vulnerable socioecological context. The purpose of the study is to provide information that helps pastoral communities living in the arid and semi-arid lands better feed their livestock in a fodder scarce environment. The research explores the overarching factors that condition the adoption of RWHT and thereby contribute to improving their livelihoods and resilience in a changing climate scenario. The specific objectives were to: (i) assess the extent and preference of RWHT adoption; (ii) analyze the socio-economic factors influencing adoption; (iii) evaluate ecological factors that condition the type of RWHT most suited to specific environments; and (iv) determine the impact of training and extension services on adoption and effectiveness of RWHT. A mixed-methods research design (both quantitative and qualitative) was used for data collection, involving a survey of 205 households, and key informant interviews, and focus group discussions representing the qualitative component. The participating households were obtained from beneficiaries of the World Food Programme’s Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) initiative. The findings reveal significant variation in RWHT adoption across locations, technology types, and household profiles. Adoption was strongly associated with socio-economic factors such as education level, household income, land tenure, and livestock ownership, all of which directly relate to livelihood capital. Ecological conditions, especially soil type and rainfall distribution-were found to influence the appropriateness and performance of RWHT structures. While contour bunds had achieved widespread adoption across all sites, Zai pits and semi-circular bunds remained in the early or “pipeline” stages of adoption. Access to training and extension services was also a critical enabler, enhancing both the scale of RWHT adoption and the economic returns from fodder production. The study recommends tailored, context-specific RWHT approaches, increased technical and institutional support, and sustained investment in capacity building. However, the research faced limitations, including a sample that may not represent non-FFA beneficiaries, and insufficient secondary data for comprehensive trend analysis. It also identifies future research opportunities including longitudinal studies on sustainability, comparative analyses across ASAL regions, and deeper inquiry into gender dynamics and institutional frameworks affecting RWHT adoption. KEYWORDS: Rainwater Harvesting Technologies (RWHT), fodder production, RWHT adoption, Arid and semi-arid lands, Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), sustainable livelihoods, Wajir County.