Assessment of Adoption of Watershed Management Approaches for Sustainable Constituency Development Fund Projects in Funyula Constituency, Kenya
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Date
2013-10-18
Authors
Naburi, NamenyaDaniel
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Abstract
Management of the natural resource of a drainage basin primarily for the production and
protection is considered essential for soil and water conservation. Despite an increase in
CDF allocations, watershed management approaches are not integrated in local
development projects to realize sustainability. The study assessed the need and ways of
considering watershed management approaches in CDF projects. Key objectives included
to determine the relative importance of factors that influence the allocation of CDF for
community development projects; assess how the local bio-physical environment has
been affected by CDF projects activities; establish the relevant community institutions
and organizations to enhance watershed management activities; and determine the
community perceptions and opportunities for enhancing watershed management activities
in the CDF projects in Funyula Constituency. Three level multistage samples of 123
household heads and 8 purposively selected key informants were involved in the study.
Quantitative information was mainly obtained using a questionnaire, an observation
checklist and interview guide. Participatory mapping, transect walk and photography
were used to obtain the qualitative information. Quantitative data was subjected to
descriptive analysis mainly frequency distributions, and percentages presented in form of
tables and graphs. Perceptions were measured using a 5-point likert scale, while
participatory map and transect walk data were used in the analysis to complement
quantitative data. According to the fmdings, 91.1% of households in Funyula earned their
income from all farm activities which included both on-farm and off-farm activities with
66.9% earning less than Kshs. 1,500 per month. Poor roads network, health and
educational facilities, need for clean and safe water supplies were main local factors that
determine CDF allocations to various development projects utilizing a lot of CDF leaving
watershed management unattended to. Among the effects, the most common were graded
roads, rehabilitated dams, springs and dug fish ponds. Abandoned brick making sites and
quarries, silted streams and cleared vegetation along the graded road were most visible
effects of CDF activities on biophysical environment. Limited community participation
in CDF decision making process, lack of watershed management knowledge and
awareness on the need for undertaking Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the
CDF projects among the CDF committees and the public were the main limitations in
considering watershed management approaches. The major household limitation to
watershed management identified included, 82.1% limited credit and inputs, 50% lacked
watershed management capacities. However, there was a positive correlation between
lack of watershed management knowledge and community participation in watershed
management (r=0.0l3, n=123, p< 0.05), more so, 43.1% of the respondents felt that high
start up costs were the main limitation, and 19.5% identified interference from their
neighbour. To conclude, CDF has undertaken projects which are bound to improve
livelihoods through providing social services such as education and health, but they are
not sustainable due to lack of watershed management approaches, therefore, the need to
urgently address the sustainability need. The study recommends the integration of
watershed management approaches such as undertaking EIA on CDF projects, capacity
building the public and CDF committees, provision of incentives, alternative livelihood
source, to enable community participate in watershed management activities.