AN ANALYSIS OF PERCEPTIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND MANAGEMENT OF RAINWATER HARVESTING (RWH) TECHNOLOGIES AMONG AGROPASTORALISTS IN ODWAYNE DISTRICT, SOMALILAND

Abstract

Background. Despite the increased efforts in promoting rainwater harvesting (RWH) technologies, the benefits accrued from the adoption remain low. Understanding the causes of low adoption and the socioeconomic differences between adopters and non-adopters is important to inform interventions aimed at increasing the adoption. Objective. This study, therefore, sought to address this by assessing the differences in socio-economic and institutional attributes among adopters and non-adopters of RWH technologies, the knowledge, and perceptions of agropastoral regarding RWH, while also documenting the existing management and organizational structures for different RWH technologies in Odwayne District, Somaliland. Information from this study is essential in providing information about the existing RWH technologies for the effective planning of future interventions. Methodology. Participatory rural appraisal techniques were used in collecting qualitative data regarding the attitude and practices of rainwater harvesting techniques in the area. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 194 respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics like frequency and percentages were used to resent the data from the study. Results. Results showed a significant difference in terms of education and access to training among adopters compared to non-adopters of RWH technologies. The majority of the adopters of RWH technologies (88.8%) belonged to water associations. This shows that social capital among the adopters was very high. Membership to the water association/group is deemed necessary as members benefit from information sharing, access to water resources, and usage through collective action. The study also finds that crop-livestock integration was commonly practiced by more than three-quarters (75.6%) of both adopters and non-adopters in the area, thus multiple water use sources should be considered in future investments. Elders played a critical role in water resource regulation through the resolution of conflicts and disputes that arose from the access and utilization of the resources. Implications. The results of this study confirms most of the adopters of the RWH technologies had positive perceptions (ranging from good to excellent) regarding the RWH technologies. This shows that the technologies served their purpose and were effective in ensuring the availability of water for the communities during seasons where water was scarce. The extension also played a critical role in providing information to the communities regarding important aspects such as climate change, water treatment, watercatchment as well as RWH. Conclusion. Based on these results, the government should develop permanent water sources that are adequate for multiple use through collaboration with development organizations and NGOs. Technical knowledge among community members can also be improved through training and extension services as noted to be critical source of information among the adopters. Policies and interventions by the government should target the promotion of water harvesting techniques through the provision of capital as well as equipment that can be used to facilitate water harvesting by the communities.