Perceived Importance of Irrigation Technology Characteristics Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Katilu Ward, Turkana South Sub-County, Kenya
Abstract
This study examined farmers’ perceptions of the importance of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, compatibility, reliability, durability, and water-use efficiency in selecting irrigation technologies among smallholder maize farmers in Katilu Ward, Turkana South Sub-County, Kenya. A convergent mixed-methods design was adopted, with quantitative and qualitative data collected concurrently, analyzed separately, and integrated during interpretation. The quantitative strand received greater emphasis, while qualitative findings provided contextual explanations. The study targeted 2,512 smallholder maize farmers in the Simailele, Katilu, and Lokapel irrigation schemes. Proportionate sampling selected 163 farmers, while 10 key informants were purposively selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and key informant interview guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages in SPSS version 25, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings showed that farmers perceived the assessed characteristics as important considerations in irrigation technology selection. Cost-effectiveness received a positive rating from 90.8% of respondents, followed by simplicity (90.2%), reliability (90.1%), water-use efficiency (88.8%), durability (82.2%), and compatibility (76.9%). Qualitative findings reinforced the importance of affordability, ease of operation, dependable performance, durability, compatibility, and efficient water use. The study concludes that farmers place substantial importance on multiple irrigation technology characteristics when considering technology selection. It recommends that irrigation development initiatives prioritize technologies that reflect farmers’ perceived needs, particularly affordability, simplicity, reliability, durability, compatibility, and water-use efficiency, while strengthening extension services and practical training to support informed technology selection and use.