Determinants of farmers’ decision to use rainwater harvesting practices in Hulbarag district silte zone Ethiopia

Rainwater harvesting is a proven, centuries-old strategy for mitigating vulnerability to drought and erratic rainfall, thereby enhancing agricultural resilience. This study investigates the determinants of rainwater harvesting practice adaptation in the Hulbarag district. For this purpose data were collected from sample of 207 households. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and econometric models, with a binomial logit model employed to identify factors influencing adaptation. Our findings reveal that 47.8% of respondents implemented rainwater harvesting practices, while 52.2% did not. Key determinants, significant at p < 0.05, include agroecological zone, land size, gender, age of the household head, trust in climate information, and participation in off-farm employment. These factors critically shape farmers’ decisions to implement the rainwater harvesting practices. Households with off-farm employment are 3.9 times more likely to adapt rainwater harvesting practices than households without off-farm job. To strengthen smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity, policymakers should prioritize targeted interventions, including the development of region-specific rainwater harvesting infrastructure tailored to diverse agroecological zones, gender-inclusive extension services, and training programs that enhance trust in climate information. Additionally, integrating off-farm income opportunities and providing incentives for land-constrained households can further encourage adaptation. By addressing these factors, policies can foster proactive and sustainable rainwater harvesting techniques, bolstering resilience against climate variability.