Assessing the Impact of Rainwater Harvesting Technology as Adaptation Strategy for Rural Communities in Makueni County, Kenya

Kalungu, Jokastah Wanzuu; Filho, Walter Leal; Mbuge, Duncan Onyango; Cheruiyot, Hillary Kibet

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38670-1_23

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Kenyan households have a long history of adapting to droughts using traditional and emerging practices (Black et al, 2012;Recha et al, 2012;KEFRI et al, 2014;Shiferaw et al, 2014;Kalungu et al, 2015;Kimani et al, 2015;Gbegbelegbe et al, 2017). An example is the building of fanya juu terraces, which are a combination of trenches and sand bunds in sloping cropland to for increase the storage of runoff on horizontally created terraces (Biamah et al, 1993;Makurira et al, 2011;Hailu et al, 2012;Muriu et al, 2017;Wolka et al, 2018).…”

Section: Case Study Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating Small-Scale Agricultural Adaptation Decisions in Response to Drought Risk: An Empirical Agent-Based Model for Semi-Arid Kenya

Wens

Veldkamp

Mwangi³

et al. 2020

Front. Water

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In Eastern Africa, increasing climate variability and changing socioeconomic conditions are exacerbating the frequency and intensity of drought disasters. Droughts pose a severe threat to food security in this region, which is characterized by a large dependency on smallholder rain-fed agriculture and a low level of technological development in the food production systems. Future drought risk will be determined by the adaptation choices made by farmers, yet few drought risk models … incorporate adaptive behavior in the estimation of drought risk. Here, we present an innovative dynamic drought risk adaptation model, ADOPT, to evaluate the factors that influence adaptation decisions and the subsequent adoption of measures, and how this affects drought risk for agricultural production. ADOPT combines socio-hydrological and agent-based modeling approaches by coupling the FAO crop model AquacropOS with a behavioral model capable of simulating different adaptive behavioral theories. In this paper, we compare the protection motivation theory, which describes bounded rationality, with a business-as-usual and an economic rational adaptive behavior. The inclusion of these scenarios serves to evaluate and compare the effect of different assumptions about adaptive behavior on the evolution of drought risk over time. Applied to a semi-arid case in Kenya, ADOPT is parameterized using field data collected from 250 households in the Kitui region and discussions with local decision-makers. The results show that estimations of drought risk and the need for emergency food aid can be improved using an agent-based approach: we show that ignoring individual household characteristics leads to an underestimation of food-aid needs. Moreover, we show that the bounded rational scenario is better able to reflect historic food security, poverty levels, and crop yields. Thus, we demonstrate that the reality of complex human adaptation decisions can best be described assuming bounded rational adaptive behavior; furthermore, an agent-based approach and the choice of adaptation theory matter when quantifying risk and estimating emergency aid needs.

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Section: Case Study Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating Small-Scale Agricultural Adaptation Decisions in Response to Drought Risk: An Empirical Agent-Based Model for Semi-Arid Kenya

Wens

Veldkamp

Mwangi³

et al. 2020

Front. Water

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“…Water harvesting is especially crucial for the arid and semi-arid areas that not only experience unpredictable rainfall, recurrent droughts, but also heavy torrents and floods when it rains. Runoff harvesting enhances water security given that a significant part of tropical rains is normally lost as runoff, potentially causing erosion (Kalungu et al 2015). It is important in harnessing otherwise transient flood water for use during extended dry seasons and drought, as well as in controlling soil erosion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) various water harvesting techniques, including construction of water harvesting structures such as Zai pits, water pans and shallow wells have been used to capture the little rainfall received in these areas to support pasture and crop production (GoK 2014; Kalungu et al 2015). These techniques are aimed at preventing soil erosion by reducing runoff especially in sloppy terrain of rangelands and improve infiltration of water into the soil (Oweis 2016;Appels et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of water harvesting technologies among agro-pastoralists in semi-arid rangelands of South Eastern Kenya

et al. 2020

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Background The arid and semi-arid lands experience inherently unpredictable rainfall and frequent droughts, which are exacerbated by climate change. This consequently leads to deterioration of land resources, and eventually forage and water shortages that negatively impact livestock productivity. In Kenya, development and government agencies have been supporting on-farm adaptation strategies such as water harvesting conservation structures to cope with climate hazards that affect agricultural production and food security in agro-pastoral and pastoral systems. The various water harvesting structures that have been promoted include Zai pits for growing crops and trees, water pans and shallow wells for livestock and domestic use, as well as for irrigation. However, the impact of such interventions with regard to improvement of range productivity and therefore welfare of agro-pastoral and pastoral communities has not been felt owing to low adoption rate by households. Results This study determined social, economic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of water harvesting technologies by households in pastoral areas of Tana river County of Kenya. The data was collected through household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The results show that access to extension services and training, level of monthly income, main source of livelihood, land tenure, membership in social groups and availability of active farm labor significantly influenced the adoption of water harvesting structures. Conclusion Pastoralists therefore need to be mobilized and trained on how to construct and use water harvesting structures and sensitized on the potential socioeconomic benefits of adopting them.

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“…terracing and stubble retention) and water storage (e.g. sand dams and rainwater tanks), but these activities are constrained by a lack of skilled labour to install and maintain these adaptations (Kalungu et al, 2015).…”

Section: The Significance Of Water As a Resource In Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

The African Water Vision 2025: its influence on water governance in the development of Africa's water sector, with an emphasis on rural communities in Kenya: a review

Mutschinski

Coles

2021

Water Policy

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Reliable and secure water resources for rural communities in Africa continue to be at the forefront of the challenges facing these communities in the last 20 years, particularly for smallholders, agricultural sector productivity, food security and economic development increasingly exacerbated by climate change and rapidly growing urban populations. Addressing these challenges requires well-structured policy in the water sector, to implement commitments and investments effectively, and ultimately ensure the quantity and quality of water supply. The AWV 2025 for Africa was commissioned by the World Water Council in 2000 to create a framework to target these aspects in Africa. We examine the progress towards achieving this vision after two decades, through the initiatives, government policies and water strategies that have been implemented. We take a closer look at the top-down impact of the AWV 2025 in the national context of Kenya and its rural population. While the water sector has evolved since 2000, it remains difficult to meet international standards, both at the continental level and in Kenya. This requires continued efforts to strengthen good governance in the water sector, address the financial challenges associated with the expansion of the infrastructure, and developing decentralized approaches to water supply provision.

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Assessing the Impact of Rainwater Harvesting Technology as Adaptation Strategy for Rural Communities in Makueni County, Kenya

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

Simulating Small-Scale Agricultural Adaptation Decisions in Response to Drought Risk: An Empirical Agent-Based Model for Semi-Arid Kenya

Simulating Small-Scale Agricultural Adaptation Decisions in Response to Drought Risk: An Empirical Agent-Based Model for Semi-Arid Kenya

Adoption of water harvesting technologies among agro-pastoralists in semi-arid rangelands of South Eastern Kenya

The African Water Vision 2025: its influence on water governance in the development of Africa's water sector, with an emphasis on rural communities in Kenya: a review

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