Factors affecting the adoption of sustainable water conservation practices in smallholder farming systems: A case study of smallholder farmers in Omusati region, Namibia
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Date
2020
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Namibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and water shortage remains a serious challenge in agricultural productivity. Smallholder farmers in rural areas are often advised to adopt sustainable water conservation practices aimed to counter these challenges. However, the adoption of such practices among smallholder farmers is far below the expectations. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the current sustainable water conservation practices used by smallholders
and what influential factors affect adoption of the introduced water conservation practices. A random sample of 30 smallholder farmers from six constituencies in Omusati Region was used. Field observation and a two-part questionnaire were used to collect data used in examining the level of water conservation adoption and to profile smallholder farmers. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyse the collected data. The study showed that some sustainable water
conservation practices such as ripping, planting basins, compost and drip irrigation were being adopted. ANOVA test results indicated that education status and farming experience of household heads have a significant impact on adoption rate of the introduced sustainable water conservation practices. Conversely, family size per household, farm size or cultivated land and the age of household heads have no significant effects on the adoption of sustainable water conservation
practices. The challenges affecting smallholder’s adoption of sustainable water conservation practices include lack of farm implements, lack of water conservation awareness, climate characteristics, lack of funds, shortage of farm labour, lack of water conservation knowledge, limited farmland for cultivation and lack of extension services and institutional supports. Based on the study findings its thus recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and
other concerned bodies should consider the identified influential factors and challenges to improve the situation and enhance the adoption of introduced water conservation practices.
Description
A mini thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Water Resources Management)
Keywords
Water conservation, Adoption, Smallholder farmers, Sustainable practices