Rural communities in Ethiopia face significant challenges related to water scarcity and food security, with inadequate water harvesting systems contributing to these issues. The study employed a mixed-methods design combining surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews with community members to gather comprehensive insights into the effectiveness of different water harvesting techniques. A notable finding was that households implementing improved water harvesting systems reported an average increase in crop yields by 25% compared to those without such interventions. The mixed-methods approach provided a robust understanding of how enhanced water harvesting systems can contribute positively to food security and sustainable livelihoods in rural Ethiopian communities. Communities should be supported with tailored water harvesting solutions, while policymakers need to allocate resources for the development of long-term water management strategies.