http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/862 (10) Articles available 2026-04-13T17:26:35Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/968 Adoption Of Rainwater Harvesting Technologies By Smallholder Farmers In Malawi A Case Study Of Zidyana Epa Pendame Msume, Arab Rain fed agriculture remains vulnerable to high rainfall variability and impacts of climate change. This has generated widespread interest in innovative practices such as rain water harvesting technologies (RHTs). Despite the known benefits, adoption of RHTs in Malawi like most Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries remains low. Understanding the issues that influence adoption of RHTs can significantly contribute to securing water for agriculture and other uses. This study assessed the adoption of RHTs by smallholder farmers in Zidyana area in Nkhotakota district of Malawi by characterizing the type of RHTs in use, determining the extent to which RHTs are adopted by farmers and the factors affecting adoption of RHTs. A sample size of 370 farmers from both adopters and non-adopters of RHTs was used. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, personal observations, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results show that Conservation Agriculture (CA), compost manure making and application, box ridges, planting pits, contour ridging, contour bunds and swales are the RHTs in practice in Zidyana area. CA tends to be the dominant form of RHT practiced (28%). External support was the highest predictor influencing adoption of RHTs followed by type of soil, rainfall intensity, income level, access to credit and gender of the household head (p≤ 0.005). It was clearly revealed from the study that the overall adoption of RHTs is indeed low and is limited to In-situ water conservation technologies. Given the low levels of income and external support for subsistence farmers in Malawi, huge investment in external support is required if the full benefits of RHT are to be realized. The article investigates low adoption rates of rainwater harvesting technologies (RHTs) by smallholder farmers in Zidyana, Malawi. It identifies key practices like Conservation Agriculture and highlights factors influencing adoption, such as external support, income levels, and rainfall intensity. The study calls for more investment in external support to improve adoption and boost agricultural water security. 2017-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/900 An assessment of the effectiveness of strategies used by Blantyre Water Board to reduce non-revenue water Mziliwanda, Bright Blantyre Water Board has been experiencing a high level of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) which stands at 52%. Reduction of NRW is one of the major challenge facing BWB. Blantyre Water Board is a parastatal organization which was established and reconstituted under the Malawi Waterworks Act No. 17 of 1995. To reduce NRW and improve operational performance, BWB has developed strategies based on the engineering studies conducted in the recent past. BWB is failing to improve in areas of operational efficiency, capital investments, customer care and coverage for water supply due to high NRW. Ineffective implementation of NRW reduction strategies is the major cause for the rise in the physical and apparent water losses. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of the strategies that BWB uses to reduce NRW in the water distribution network. The research employed the descriptive survey methodology with both quantitative and qualitative research designs. The study purposely sampled 120 participants from a population of 249 employees that are directly involved in day to day activities of reducing NRW at BWB. Primary data, provided information that was specifically for the purpose of this research and was obtained through questionnaires and field measurements while secondary data was acquired from BWB Financial Management reports, Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS), Departmental reports, Fault Management System (FMS) and the Hydraulic Model. The study showed that the Board was not able to effectively implement strategies that it used to reduce NRW. The study identified that there was a positive, partial correlation between understanding of PPS and compliance to PPS, (r = 0.545, p < 0.05, n = 109). The positive correlation indicated that the more employees understand the PPS the better they comply with PPS when carrying out their duties. With the financial constraints of the Board, investment in the fight against NRW has not been adequate as BWB fails to comply with the budget by 27.3%. To reduce NRW, the study recommends that BWB should train its staff, use materials which are compliant with the design specifications, increase and improve resource investment in NRW reduction-activities. A thesis submitted to the Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Science Degree in Water Resources and Supply Management 2018-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/899 Assessment of vulnerability and local capacity to respond to flood disasters in Karonga district, Malawi Mwalwimba, Isaac N.K Vulnerability is now a global paradigm. While conceptions of vulnerability principles vary between contexts, it primarily aims to ensure a more understanding of how natural hazards such as floods become disasters. However, vulnerability assessment in relation to disaster risk reduction (DRR) is one of the increasingly significant crosscutting disaster management issues. A review of research into DRR to date suggests that vulnerability assessment is a starting point for the development of DRR programmes. Despite vulnerability being promoted as an attractive approach, a lot of emphasis on the work of disaster management has been placed on post-event humanitarian action and relief activities, with little consideration on vulnerability assessment. Consequently, most developing countries lack a strategy to invest scarce funds to minimize the damage related to disasters. This study assessed vulnerability and local capacity in Traditional Authority Kilupula, in Karonga district of Malawi. The area was chosen because it is dominated by flood plain (flat and low lying areas) along the shores of Lake Malawi which is prone to flooding. The main purpose of the study was to assess the extent of vulnerability and local capacity to respond to flood disasters in relation to disaster risk reduction. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research. Structured questionnaires and GPS receiver were used for the quantitative research while semi-structured interviews, FDGs and observation were employed for the qualitative research. It was revealed that physical (61%), social (55%), economic (55%), environmental (60%) were in the category of “very important” factors generating vulnerability while the cultural factors (37%) were in the category of “important” factors generating vulnerability. The relationship between the vulnerability factors and flood severity revealed strong, medium and weak correlation (r) values. Only the cultural factors (p-value=0.009) were significant. Several existing gaps between theory and practice in DRR and management were found. Among the gaps identified were poor relocation strategies, ineffective warning systems and weak enforcement of laws. It was also found that local coping strategies were pursued with the infrastructural being pursued most (60%), followed by social organization (34%). However, implementation coping strategies were not effective due to unwillingness of people to relocate to higher grounds. It is recommended that disaster risk reduction programmes should be promoted, but with full knowledge of the vulnerabilities of the affected communities. Further studies on the exploration of emerging needs and priorities on disaster risk reduction as mechanisms of reducing vulnerability of communities should be carried out. A thesis submitted to the department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Master of Science Degree in Water Resources and Supply Management 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/898 Factors affecting the sustainability of community-managed piped water supply schemes: a case of Miseu folo and East bank in Chikwawa district, Malawi Hepeni, Arthur Developing countries especially those in the sub-Saharan Africa have the highest non-functional rate of community-managed water supply schemes. This happens after governments and other development partners have invested a considerable amount of funds in constructing and rehabilitating these water supply schemes. However, there are efforts by the Government of Malawi to reverse the situation through various interventions such as management of these water supply schemes under Water Users Association (WUA) model. This study aimed at exploring factors affecting the sustainability of community-managed water supply schemes under WUA management model in Chikwawa District in the Southern Region of Malawi. The study employed descriptive design using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The target population consisted of both males and females who were water users and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of Miseu Folo and East Bank Water Supply Schemes in Chikwawa District. Data was collected from 148 respondents of whom 124 were water users and 24 were BOT members from the two selected water supply schemes. The study found that the functionality of community-managed water supply schemes in Chikwawa District was staggering at 59.7%. The study revealed that Miseu Folo Water Supply Scheme (MFWSS), with boreholes operated by hydro-power had a higher functionality rate (100%) than East Bank Water Supply Scheme (EBWSS), a gravity-fed piped water supply scheme whose functionality rate was 26.5%. The study revealed that the majority of BOT members acknowledged lack of capacity to manage water supply schemes sustainably and they could not elaborate clearly their roles and responsibilities in the WUA Board. The BOT members further acknowledged that engagement of a Local Utility Operator (LUO) to run a water supply scheme on their behalf could promote sustainability due to the LUO’s vast skills in administration, operations and maintenance. However, the BOT members perceived that the LUOs were too expensive for Community Managed Water Supply Schemes thereby depleting the limited available funds on their remuneration. vii The study further revealed that water users from EBWSS preferred borehole water to tap water which is currently supplied by their scheme because they were not satisfied with the services rendered by the East Bank Water Users Association (EBWUA). These findings were contrary to those found in MFWSS where water users were satisfied with the water supplied by the Miseu Folo Water Users Association (MFWUA). It was also found that user satisfaction, presence of alternative water sources, payment of water tariffs and cost recovery were some of the factors affecting the sustainability of community-managed water supply schemes in Chikwawa District. Overall, the study revealed the need to revisit the WUA management model which is advanced by the Government of Malawi if the piped water supply schemes are to remain sustainable. Furthermore, both the WUA Board and General Assembly acknowledged the need for external support from other stakeholders. Therefore, involvement of the Central Government, District Councils and NGOs in the management of piped water supply schemes is critical to sustainability of the water supply schemes rather than leaving this enormous task to communities alone. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Applied Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science (Water Resources and Supply Management) 2018-06-01T00:00:00Z