An Assessment of Integrated Water Resource Management (Iwrm) Approach for Reducing Food Insecurity in Drylands: a Case of Kikuu River Sub-sub-catchment, Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

This research focused on assessment of effects of integrated water resource management on household food production. The key area of the study was Kikuu River Sub-catchment in Nzaui- Kalamba ward of Makueni County Kenya. The main aim was to investigate the effects of integrated water resource management on food security in drylands. Specifically, the research aimed at determining the local water resource management approaches in Makueni County and their contribution to food security. It also aimed at exploring the level of adoption of IWRM approach for environmental conservation and its effect on household food productivity and livelihood and investigate the Irrigation efficient methods used by the farmers in Kikuu River for irrigated farming and improved household food production. To address the study objectives, both primary and secondary data was collected and analyzed. Structured open-ended questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to collect primary data from households and key informants to get their views on adoption of IWRM and water efficient irrigation methods and their effects on food security and livelihood of farmers and other benefits to dry lands community. The study applied qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Primary data was collected from a sample of 99 households drawn from 16400 households of Kikuu River Sub-catchment by use of an open-ended questionnaire. A Simple random sampling method was used to recruit the study respondents. Secondary data was obtained from official government reports, water sector and livelihood CSO reports and academic journals. The data collected was analyzed both using descriptive statistics such as the mean, percentages and elaborated in tables and graphs. The data was analyzed by use of Chi-square inferential statistics technique and tested at the 95 % confidence level (α=0.05) The adoption of water irrigation efficient methods such as basin/Zypit and terraces promoted livelihood and household food production. Sustainable best practices that included conservation of riparian land, construction of the rain water harvesting structures and local conservation techniques such as the construction of terraces helped increase food production and livelihood of the community in the study area. The study also indicated that sustainable best practices improved farmers livelihoods as they could practice both commercial and subsistence agriculture. The null hypothesis was rejected since the research established that the statistical/calculated value was greater than the critical value. The calculated value was 45.99 while the critical value was 31.41. Therefore, the alternative hypothesis was adopted, and the researcher concluded that there is a significant relationship between the adoption of IWRM and household farm produce. Therefore, the approach can be replicated in the other parts of the county and various river Sub-catchments in Kenya. The Study came up with the following Key recommendations; Water Regulatory Authority (WRA) previously known as WRMA in Water Act 2002 to engage with the relevant stakeholders towards Practice of Basin approach/IWRM in water management through forming and strengthening WRUAs in various Sub-catchments of Kenya. Water sector CSOs to invest in community rainwater harvesting structures and construct sand dams along Kikuu River to increase household water supply for domestic use and Irrigated farming so as to reduce the impact of food insecurity and improve the community livelihood.