Factors affecting the adoption of rain water harvesting technologies in Western Pare Lowlands of Tanzania
Senkondo, E.M.M;|Mdoe, N.S.Y;|Hatibu, N.;|Mahoo, H;|Gowing, J. /

Adoption of technology an important factor in economic development especially in developing countries. Successful introduction of technologies I developing countries requires an understanding of the priorities and concerns of smallholder farmers at the grassroots. This paper analyses the socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of rainwater harvesting (RWH) technologies in Western Pare lowlands of Tanzania. Data for the study were collected from 70 smallholder farmers in Kifaru and Lembeni village. These data were fitted in probit and logit models. The results of the probit model are used to explain adoption of RWH in western Pare lowlands because it produced better fits compares with the logit model. The results of the probit model shows that farm size, number of family members working in the farm, experience in farming, and extent of knowledge in RWH techniques were significant explaining the intensity of adoption of RWH techniques. Regarding farmers perceived technology characteristics, the results show that farmers’ appreciation of RWH as a factor contributing to increase crop yield was positively and significantly explaining the intensity adoption of RWH. This suggests that higher yields attained with the use of RWH techniques will encourage adoption of the technique. 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.