The document discusses challenges with water management in Kenya, including water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, high water losses from simple on-farm storage ponds, and the need for cost-effective solutions. Research has found that seepage and evaporation losses account for 30-60% of stored water. Interventions being tested include reducing pond surface areas, using different roofing materials and pond linings to decrease losses, and developing efficient drip irrigation systems to improve rainwater harvesting and management for smallholder farmers.

1. Integrated Rainwater Harvesting and Management System: Adaptive Research, Development and Promotion in Kenya Presented by: Stephen Ngigi GHARP/KRA Secretariat/ MDG Centre for East & Southern Africa

2. Problem Analysis: Poor Water Management The problem is being aggravated by climate change , BUT it addressed by improved agricultural (rain)water management => blue revolution is a prerequisite for smallholder farmers-led green revolution in Africa Inappropriate agricultural water management Low agricultural production Food insecurity Poverty Poverty trap

3. Hydro-climatic Challenges: Water Scarcity Crop water stress related to climate change: Poor rainfall partitioning, intra-seasonal dry spells & short growing period

4. Farmers’ Interventions and Challenges High water losses: High Seepage and Evaporation Simple on-farm water storage ponds: irregular shapes, steep side slopes, siltation, physical and health risks

5. Research: Quantifying of water losses Seepage and evaporation losses account for 30-60% E w Graduated staff gauge 1 n Q r r h P Q i Kitchen garden Q p

6. Past Attempts to Reduce water losses High investment costs: Need for cost-effective interventions Seepage losses : Lining with either concrete, masonry, UV-resistance plastic Evaporation losses : Roofing with iron sheets, thatch, vegetation e.g. non-flowering passion fruit

7. Cost-effective and Sustainable Interventions Reducing surface area, different roofing material, and plastic lining

8. Development of Water Efficient Drip irrigation Systems

9. Improved Rainwater Harvesting and Management Efficient water use technology: Shifting from hand-watering to drip irrigation Increasing water storage and reliability: Reducing water losses and health risks

10. Scaling up RHM Systems are appropriate for SAE of SSA. Scaling up interventions have been going on in Kenya, and transfer of technology to the GHA is underway