Vol. 2010 No. 1 (2010)

View Issue TOC

Ten-Year Rainwater Collection and Crop Yield Improvements in Northern Kenya's Water Harvesting Systems for Food Security

Geraldine Njoroge, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Omar Kahinwa, Maseno University
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18907899
Published: July 28, 2010

Abstract

This study examines rainwater collection systems implemented by smallholder farmers in northern Kenya to enhance water security and crop yields over a decade. A comparative study approach was employed using data from ten years of field observations and farmer surveys. The methodology included analysis of rainfall patterns, water storage capacity, crop selection, and economic impact assessments. Significant improvements in average annual crop yields were observed, with a 25% increase compared to baseline conditions. Specifically, maize yields showed an uplift of 30%, attributed to optimised irrigation schedules. The study concludes that water harvesting systems are effective for enhancing food security among smallholder farmers in northern Kenya, supported by statistical models and economic analyses. Based on findings, recommendations include scaling up successful practices through government support and capacity building programmes. Water Harvesting, Food Security, Smallholder Farmers, Rainwater Collection, Crop Yields The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y_{it}=\beta_0+\beta_1X_{it}+u_i+\varepsilon_{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.

Full Text:

Read the Full Article

The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.

How to Cite

Geraldine Njoroge, Omar Kahinwa (2010). Ten-Year Rainwater Collection and Crop Yield Improvements in Northern Kenya's Water Harvesting Systems for Food Security. African Environmental Engineering (Technology focus), Vol. 2010 No. 1 (2010). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18907899

Keywords

KenyaGeographic Information Systems (GIS)Water HarvestingSmallholder AgricultureField TrialsPrecipitation AnalysisYield Metrics

Research Snapshot

Desktop reading view
Language
EN
Formats
HTML + PDF
Publication Track
Vol. 2010 No. 1 (2010)
Current Journal
African Environmental Engineering (Technology focus)

References