Working Document Series Open Access Modeling potential impact of climate change on sorghum and cowpea performance under different tillage and cropping systems in semi-arid areas of Kenya T. Kirina Kitinya · R.N. Onwonga Field trials were carried out at Kambi ya Mawe location in Eastern Kenya during the long rains (LRS) of 2010 and short rains (SRS) of 2010/2011, to evaluate effect of tillage and cropping system on performance of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L… RUF-34272 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Application of molecular markers for biodiversity and taxonomy studies in legume tree species from the miombo woodlands, Niassa Natioanl Reserve, Mozambique L. F. Goulão · I. Maquia · N. S. Ribeiro · A. I. Ribeiro de Barros Miombo is one of the most important types of vegetation of southern Africa covering about 70% of the region. This ecosystem has an immeasurable socio-economic and environmental value. However, its stability is increasingly being threatened… RUF-34269 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Transforming tertiary agricultural education and training through private sector linkages D.S. Kraybill · I. Minde Typically, capacity strengthening in African tertiary education systems has focused on human and institutional capacity building. Rarely does capacity strengthening embrace the private sector in a major way. Our preposition is that the pri… RUF-34261 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of trends in crop type and land cover change using GIS in Yatta sub-county, Kenya G. N. Karuku · V. M. Kathumo · B. A. Liavoga · R.N. Onwonga +2 more Assessment of the distribution and dynamics of vegetation using remote sensing techniques and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be efficient tools in monitoring agricultural activities as they provide methods for analys… RUF-34258 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of a virtual space for online supervision and mentoring as a novel architecture for learning and improving the quality of graduates’ studies in Africa M. Bji Vaate · D.K. Kiambi · J. Ndung’u-Skilton The quality of tertiary agricultural education is critical because it determines the expertise and competence of scientists, professionals and business leaders in all aspects of agriculture and related industries. Unfortunately, the qualit… RUF-34255 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The giant tiger prawn for sustainable livelihoods of fishers in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria A. I. Hart · P. Isubikalu · G. W. Komi The Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) is the largest marine shrimp that has lived in the Niger Delta coastal waters since 1999. Its marketability and high income as compared to the indigenous shrimp species has attracted a growing number… RUF-34248 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the prospects for tertiary agricultural education in Africa H. Boly · L.M. Da Silva · C. Glym · Frey. H +2 more In order to reduce hunger and poverty across the African continent and build international competitiveness of the African agricultural sector, it will be necessary to trigger and maintain substantial rates of annual agricultural productivi… RUF-34247 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Seasonal rainfall variability, drought characterisation and efficacy of interpolation techniques: Case of Kenya’s central highlands M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more Drier parts Eastern Kenya, endure persistent crop failure and declining agricultural productivity which have been attributed, in part, to high temperatures, prolonged dry-spells and particularly erratic rainfall. Understanding spatial-temp… RUF-34241 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Building Research Capacity: The case of Burundi M. Inamahoro This manuscript narrates the contribution of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to strengthening research capacity of the National Agriculture Research Institute (ISABU). Burundi is among the thr… RUF-34238 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Trend in climate variation in Karamoja Sub-region, northern eastern Uganda D. Aleper · A. Egeru · L. MacOpiyo · M.G.J. Majaliwa +1 more This study focused at determining the spatial and temporal rainfall and temperature characteristics in Karamoja with a view of establishing the intensity of climate variability. The study utilized historical data (1947-1976) and NOAA reana… RUF-34237 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Predicting potential distribution of the coconut whitefly in Mozambique based on ecological niche modeling tool T. Checo · D. Cugala · L. Jose The coconut (Cocos nucifera) whiteûy (Aleurotrachelus atratus), native to Central America has been recorded in various countries in Africa. In Mozambique, the coconut whitefly was reported for the first time in Maputo in 2010. However, the… RUF-34232 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Teaching report writing in crop science to undergraduate agriculture students in a Nigerian University R.O. Akinwale · M.A.B. Fakorede · A. Oluwaranti In response to the urgent need for acquisition of technical writing skill by students, the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria introduced a onesemester course on Report Writing in Crop Science (coded CPP 40… RUF-34228 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Deploying interactive on-line networking platform for improving quality and relevance of African University graduates to labour markets B.O. Bebe · J. Kihoro · N. Kimbugwe · D. Nodumo +1 more African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face criticisms of producing low performing graduates unable to drive the agricultural innovation processes to revitalise agriculture, boost economic recovery, and accelerate achievement of the … RUF-34225 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Agricultural research and development trends and challenges in Mozambique K. Flaherty · A. Nhamusso The Agriculture Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM) with its national research networking has been working in a collaborative manner with the Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) initiative. ASTI is an initiative of IF… RUF-34224 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of agricultural projects funded by the District Development Fund in Chibuto, Mozambique Joana Manuel Matusse Joaquim · Andréa Eloisa Bueno Pimentel In order to improve the well being of Mozambican people through increase in agricultural production, the government of Mozambique introduced the District Development Fund (FDD) in 2006. This fund has been given to proponents of different a… RUF-34220 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Capacity strengthening for a transformed agricultural sector in Africa: The role of the Science Agenda for agriculture in Africa Y. Akinbamijo Science is vital in the development of African agriculture. The role of science in enhancing agricultural productivity, competitiveness and market access in Africa is too important for it to be outsourced, and African leaders have to inves… RUF-34216 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enzymatic processing of plant fibres for diversified uses M.T. Masarirambi · T.T. Mkhonta · T. Ndlovu · D.A. Otieno +3 more Harsh fibre production processes contributing to challenges in the ecosystem have rekindled the interest on green fibres and eco-friendly products globally. This interest has propelled some developing countries, including Swaziland, to exp… RUF-34202 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The bio-processing of fibres from Agave sisalana and Agave americana M.T. Masarirambi · T. Ndlovu · J.M. Thwala · V.S. Vilane +1 more Plant fibres play a major role in the lives of many rural peoples, especially women in Swaziland. It is known to produce strong and hard fibres which tend to limit the users in terms of product development. This research study, therefore, … RUF-34194 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of quality and affordable fish feed for small scale fish farmers in Malawi A. Kamangira · J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · V. Kasulo +5 more The project aims at contributing to increased fish production in rural communities of Mpamba in Nkhatabay district of Malawi. The aim is being achieved through developing quality affordable feed from locally available ingredients, evaluati… RUF-34191 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Preliminary compositional nutrient diagnosis for rubber tree in the humid forest zone of Cameroon E. Ehabe Ejolle · G. Elambo Nkeng · J. Njukeng Nkengafac · Ewalds. Schnug The main source of natural rubber is the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), an important crop to the Cameroonian economy. In order to improve yields while maintaining tree sustainability, nutrient norms must be derived for proper nutrient a… RUF-34183 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Plantwise knowledge bank: Expanding local and global resource pathways for plant health education and research in Africa J. Dennis · S. Hobbs · J. Mulema · W. Ochilo Plant health stakeholders in Africa face many challenges to manage crop pests. Apart from lack of access to vital knowledge and resources, new threats from globalization, climate change and population growth have led to a rapid pace of cha… RUF-34179 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Proximate composition of potential plant feedstuffs for production of Tilapia rendalli in northern Malawi J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · O.V. Msiska · K. Mzengereza +1 more The aquaculture sector in Malawi contributes two percent to nation’s fish production. Availability of affordable quality feed is one of the most important problems that hamper aquaculture growth in Malawi. This study, therefore, aimed at i… RUF-34171 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Do triple bag hermetic storage Control Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored maize in Mozambique? H. Affognon · D. Cugala · L. Muchiriuarapa Prostephanus truncatus is a serious and dominant pest of stored maize in Mozambique. Before the introduction of P. truncatus in Mozambique in 1999, weight loss in stored maize in small scale farmers’ system was about 10 to 12% and Sitophil… RUF-34159 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Structures of starch hydrolysates by luminal amylases: What is the impact of African starch sources on type 2 diabetes management? K.M. Komeine Nantanga The major source of energy to humans is starch. The digestion of starch in monogastric animals, including humans starts in the mouth. It may continue in the stomach. Pancreatic amylase further digests starch as the food moves through the s… RUF-34153 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Identifying conditions for phytase enzyme adaption in African catfish feeds H. Kasigwa · C. Kemigabo · C. Masembe · D. Sikawa This research was conducted to establish and streamline conditions and optimum amount of phytase enzyme required for its adoption for improved digestibility of plant based catfish feeds. This started with analysis of pH along African catfi… RUF-34149 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
