Rain water harvesting Ponds have been used in arid and semi-arid parts of the world and encouraging results have been realized in terms of increasing agricultural yield under low rainfall conditions. In addition, RWH ponds have enabled domestic & livestock water supply, and the production of high value crops that contribute to livelihood improvement of the people. However, despite the economic viability and the potential of the technology for improving agricultural productivity, the adoption rate of the technology by farmers was not satisfactory. The purpose of this study was to assess and understand the factors affecting farmers' utilization of rainwater harvesting Ponds in Dera Woreda, South Gondar Zone. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher collected primary data through household questionnaires, interviews with various officials and key farmers as well as group discussions with Kebele level administrators and secondary data from written materials. The collected data were analyzed through both quantitative methods such as frequencies, percentages and significance tests; and through «qualitaiive methods. The three sample RKAs were selected purposely. Because, out of 29 RKs i~ the Study Woreda, rainwater harvesting was implemented only in the selected Kebe/es. Then, farm households in the sample RKAs were stratified as users and nonusers of RWH ponds. A total of 132 sample household respondents were selected from users and non-users. All users were included directly in the sample, because their number was very small compared to the number of non-users in the Woreda. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the major factors of the adoption decision of farm households to use RWHT. Thirteen variables were included in the model out of which seven were found ili.ighly significant at (p<. 01and.05) levels. Sex, education level, social participation, training and family 'ze of the households were found to be highly significant variables affecting farmers adoption decision of the technology at (p<O. 01). While respondents age and total land size were moderately significant factors at (p<O. 05).However, farm distance was a weak determinant factor at (P<0.1). Among all independent variables entered in the model, the Wald value of respondents' sex was the highest 10.956. The study indicated that most farmers had a good perception towards RWHTs. Nevertheless, the utilization of the technology was surrounded by various constraints. The major constraints were low quality but high cost of geo-membrane that hindered farmers not to have ponds. The forgoing discussion has revealed that RWH activity is undertaken in the study area narrowly. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that the government should give due attention in improving women's social and economic status, providing adult education and giving continuous training related to rain water harvesting technologies. All concerned bodies should also work in eoordtnation inc promoting disseminating and supporting farmers to use the technology . --~ .... viii