Factors Affecting the Adoption of Rain Water Harvesting Technologies in Western Pare Lowlands of Tanzania

Abstract

Adoption of  technology.is an important factor in economic development especially.in developing countries succ,essful introduction of technologies in developing countries requires an understanding gf .the prioriti~s and concerns of smallholder fanners at the grassroots. This. paper analyses the soc,io-economic factors t~at influence the adoption of rain water harvesting (RWH) technologies in Western Pare lowlands of Tanzania. Data for the study. were collected from 70 smallholder farmers in Kifaru and Lembeni viilages. These data were fitted in Probit and Logit models. ,The results of the Rrobit model are used to explain adoption of RWH in Western Pare lowlands because it produced b§tte[ fits compared with the Logit model. The results of the probit model shows that farm size, number .of family members working in the fann, experience in fanning, and extent of knowledge in RWH techniques were significant in explaining 'the intensity of adoption ofRWH techniques. Regarding farmers perceived technology characteristics, the results show thaUanners' appreciation .of RWH as a factor contributing to increased crop yield was positively and significantly explaining the intensity at adoption o f RWH. This suggests that higher yields, attained with the use of RWH techniques will encourage adoption of the techniques. It is therefore.recommended that·efforts to promote the use of RWH techniques should go together with the use of other recommended improved inputs to bring higher returns to farmers.

Keywords: Adoption:' Rain water harvesting, Ptobit, Logit, and TeChnology  characteristics