Adoption of a multiple use water system (MUWS) to ensure water security for Nepalese hill farmers

Abstract

Multiple use water system (MUWS) is an approach to water services planning and design of new and rehabilitated systems. It is informed by input on people's multiple water uses, reuses, and needs at their preferred sites within communities. Although MUWS has been implemented in different parts of Nepal to address water security, the motivating factors in adoption of MUWS have not been previously clear. To better understand farmers' interests, the socio-economic context, and severity of water scarcity problems, we analyzed determinant factors in adoption of MUWS related to the extent of area under vegetable production in Annapurna rural municipality of Kaski district. We surveyed 150 households and conducted eight key informant interviews. A binary logistic regression model showed that five variables, namely: households sharing a tap, water tariff, water volume used, availability of a water storage system, and water sufficiency during the dry season have significant positive influences on the adoption of MUWS. In contrast, two variables, namely: caste and access to water have significant negative influences on the adoption behavior of farmers. Likewise, the linear regression model showed agricultural crops grown, total landholdings, and water quality influenced the extent of vegetable production. Thus the socio-economic condition, access to resources and the institution affect the adoption behavior of farmers. Agriculture policy intervention at provincial/national level should highlight the importance of adoption of MUWS and its benefit in terms of securing water, economy and food in a changing climate. Highlights MUWS has been successful in reducing water scarcity and enhancing economy of farmers in Himalayan country.; Various socio-economic, biophysical and institutional factors influence farmer's decisions about whether to adopt MUWS.; Policy intervention at provincial-national level needs to highlight the importance of MUWS, and multidisciplinary research addressing motivating factors, constraints and challenges must be across different agro-ecological conditions.;

Keywords

• binary logistic regression
• linear regression
• multiple use water system