Enhancing Governance of Water Resources for Improved Uptake of on-farm Water Storage Technology Among Smallholder Irrigators in Tsavo Sub-catchment, Kenya

Abstract

Innovations are vital to achieving sustainable water futures. However, the extent to which they can be adopted is subject to actions and interactions among institutions and stakeholders across governing levels. This study set out to (i) assess farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in water resources management; (ii) analyze farmers’ willingness to pay for the attributes of on-farm water storage technology; (iii) appraise the implications of water governance on sustainable utilization on water resources; and (iv) develop a governance framework for uptake of on-farm water storage technology. The study used a mixed methods approach where both qualitative and quantitative data were derived. Predictors of farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in water management were estimated using ordered and logistic regression models. Farmers’ preferences and willingness to pay for the attributes of on-farm water storage technology was assessed by choice experiments. Governance Assessment Tool was used to evaluate micro-level water governance. Results show that knowledge of water issues inform attitudes and practices in water management. Educational attainment, level of income, access to extension, participation in local networks and land tenure were the main predictors of knowledge, attitudes and practices in water management. Farmers expressed high preferences and willingness to pay for on-farm water storage technology. A reduction of water resource conflicts, year-round water availability for irrigation and improved water quality for domestic use and ecosystems were the main attributes of on-farm water storage technology. Polycentricity was a key feature of the sub-catchment water governance. However, multi-level institutions and stakeholders had diverging perspectives and ambitions on water resources management. A framework for uptake of on-farm water storage technology emphasized actors’ relations and interactions in defining technology design and diffusion to farmers. The framework highlights the importance of research-extension-farmer linkages and financing mechanisms in innovation uptake. Water governance arrangements in the Tsavo sub-catchment are not sufficient to support water policy implementation and realization of on-farm water storage goal. The technology adoption initiatives have not benefited from institutional support. These findings are important in policy development that intensify awareness and target a range of extension, communication and financial support to enable the uptake of on-farm water storage technology. The integration of the technology into water and agriculture development strategies, and strengthening of local water governance capabilities for sustainable practices are recommended.