Working Document Series Open Access Determination of crop coefficient of local barley cultivar in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia using drums Alemie Araya · Fantahun. Sisay Barley is a major staple food crop in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. The crop is used for preparing various types of traditional foods. Barley yield over the northern Ethiopia is severely affected mainly due to water stress. To minimi… RUF-35202 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Access and utilization of agro-meteorological information: A case study of small holder irrigation farmers in Kenya E.K. Maranga · G.O. Obati · W. Zendera Weather and climate are one of the major production risks and uncertainties impacting on agricultural systems performance and management. A study was conducted in Lari Wendani irrigation scheme, Nakuru North District, and Perkerra irrigati… RUF-35196 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Use of information and communication technology in the dissemination of agricultural information in Public Agricultural Research Institutes in Uganda J. Githeko · M. Ugen · M. Yiga The objective of this study is to identify and analyse challenge of use of Information Communication Technologies by public agricultural research institutes. It involves questionnaire interviews with 328 respondents and use of secondary in… RUF-35192 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Information dissemination pathway preferences and needs of commercial urban farmers in Kampala, Uganda L. Mulumba · G. Obati · F. Ssegujja The study mapped and characterized the spatial location of households that practice urban agriculture, assessed and documented the information needs of farmers, developed Geospatial database for the households identified, documented the ef… RUF-35190 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An analysis of language use and content in communicating agricultural technologies to farmers in Ethiopia J.O. Ogola · Manaye Alehegn. Simachew · D.J. Spielman Since research findings often do not have direct or immediate relevance to farmers, extension workers are often called upon to develop ways to communicate and disseminate these findings to farmers. Two of the main problems limiting the eff… RUF-35183 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The analysis of agricultural policies in Malawi: The maize political economy K. Droppelmann · A.K. Edriss · H. Phiri The choices of the maize policies are political decisions made by elected officials in the political arena, yet it affects the overall maize industry. This study will model how decision are made in the political arena and how such decision… RUF-35177 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing usage of Web 2.0 Tools in disseminating climate information and services in National Agricultural Systems of Eastern Africa B.O. Bebe · G.O. Opile · S.O. Oseni Without deliberate attention, the vulnerability to climate change and variability in the sub-Saharan Africa and particularly Eastern Africa region will be severe in terms of food and income insecurity, worsened human and livestock health a… RUF-35176 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Population increase and socio-economic changes in a pastoral society: The case of the Turkana, Kakuma division, Kenya W.N. Ekaya · M. Okoti We studied the impact of settlement on socio-economic patterns and environment quality among the Turkana pastoral communities in Kenya. We used open-ended and close-ended questionnaire and focus group discussion. The majority of the people… RUF-35172 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Challenges facing research institutions in using information and communication technologies to disseminate agricultural information to farmers in Gezira State, Sudan K. El-siddig · J.M. Githeko · N.S. Musa In this study the challenges of effective use of ICTs to disseminate agricultural information were investigated. The study also sought to determine whether the extent of ICTs usage influenced the quality, timeliness and usefulness of disse… RUF-35170 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Information access and preference for delivery pathways by peri-urban and rural smallholder dairy farmers in Central Kenya J. Matofari · D.K. Mbugua · M. Ngigi This study investigated access to information and preferences in delivery pathways for smallholder dairy farmers in two divisions in Central Kenya. The study used a cross-sectional survey design using systematic sampling procedure where 34… RUF-35169 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of information dissemination pathways on small scale tea production in western Kenya V. Mbigidde · G. Owour · I.M. Tabu The yield of tea, an important cash crop in Kenya, has been declining amongst the small scale farmer’s inspite of the research recommendations. A survey was carried out in western Kenya to determine the effect of information dissemination … RUF-35168 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Attracting women into agricultural education: Constraints and best practice Martin. Adrienne · Forsythe. Lora · M. Najjingo Mangheni The study focuses on women’s participation in higher agricultural education in four African countries. Barriers begin at secondary school where girls are less likely to take natural sciences, and negative perceptions of agriculture prevent… RUF-35164 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating accessibility and usability of dissemination pathways for delivering climate information and services to vulnerable groups in semi-arid Kenya V. Kirui · Bebe. Omedo · Oseni. Saidu Access and use of climate information and services are essential for building adaptation to impacts of climate change. These include early warning systems, weather forecasts, and research outputs relating to climate change adaptation in re… RUF-35163 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of constraints in use of electronic agricultural information resources at selected institutions of Higher Learning in Kenya N.J. Kamar · G. Owour · M. Tabu This study aims at identifying the constraints in use of agricultural electronic resources in academic institutions and their contributions to development in agriculture. Limited access to agricultural e-resources has led to poor research … RUF-35156 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Empowering primary school children to produce food to mitigate short-term hunger through school gardening: The case of Universal primary schools in Kamuli and Soroti Districts, Uganda S. Apolot · P. Kibwika · F. Kyazze · D. Loga Short-term hunger caused by inability of parents to pay for or pack lunch for their children threatens success of Universal Primary Education in Uganda. School gardening if properly introduced offers a sustainable solution that empowers th… RUF-35155 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improvement of land use information flow for mangroves forest conservation and rural farming in Democratic Republic of Congo F.P. Banga · R.S. Lumbuenamo · G.O. Obati Communities adjacent to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mangrove forest areas depend on subsistence farming systems. These farming systems are characterized by insufficient use of improved knowledge and technology, and low levels of pro… RUF-35153 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of a framework to assess completeness of Disaster Recovery Plans in RUFORUM Universities J. E. Apio · M. Bagaya · N.T. Rwangoga In Universities and other institutions, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) is critical for today’s learning, research, business profiling and institutional management. However, sustainability of systems in place depends greatly… RUF-35149 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving access to information for rural and agricultural development using ICTs in northern Uganda: Lessons and experiences J.C. Achora Access to information by rural farming communities is one of the major constraints to agricultural development in Uganda because of inadequate extension service delivery. The use of information communications technologies (ICTs) can potent… RUF-35146 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Identifying indigenous knowledge and effective communication systems for adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers of Kilifi District, Kenya G.A. Achiando · R. Birech · Washington Ochola This study investigated the influence of incorporating feedback from agricultural information users in agricultural communication systems and identified coping strategies for adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers of Kenya. Fo… RUF-35141 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Variation in micronutrient content of orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties grown in different environments M.S. Mwala · G.I. Serenje Field experiments were conducted at three locations in Zambia to characterize 15 sweetpotato varieties for tuber yield and micro-nutrient content. Location and variety had significant effect on tuber yield. Marketable yield ranged from 5.2… RUF-35139 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of postharvest handling and 1-MCP treatment on the quality and shelf life of tomato A. Mutari An experiment was conducted to assess effect of phyticcal impact and storage temperature on ethylene production. There was no significant effect of physical handling on ethylene production, but there was more ethylene production at higher … RUF-35138 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil micronutrient supply and grain quality for human nutrition in selected parts of Morogoro, Tanzania M.L.E. Imakumbili · J.M.R. Semoka · E Semu Soils worldwide have become depleted of micronutrients. This has resulted in an increase in micronutrient deficiency diseases for people consuming micronutrient poor foods as a sole source of nutrition. This study was carried out to determ… RUF-35135 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Strategic repositioning of African indigenous vegetables in the Horticulture Sector M.O. Abukutsa-Onyango African indigenous vegetables that formed an integral part of African diets lost popularity with introduction of exotic crops including vegetables. With over half the populace living below the poverty line, there is need for paradigm shift… RUF-35134 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Differential gene expression in nematode-susceptible and -tolerant East African highland bananas following inoculation with non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum endophytes D. Coyne · T. Dubois · P. Paparu · A. Viljoen Endophytic non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum isolates have been shown to reduce Radopholus similis populations through induced resistance. We used cDNA-AFLPs to identify genes induced in banana plants susceptible (cv Nabusa, AAA-EA) and to… RUF-35131 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation and selection of drought and pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) tolerant chickpea genotypes for introduction in semi-arid areas of Kenya P.K. Kimurto · R.M.S. Mulwa · B.K. Towett This study evaluated 289 chickpea lines for drought tolerance, and 30 for pest resistance. Several promising genotypes have been identified (ICC 2580, ICC 7272, ICCV 92311, ICC 3362, ICCV 95311, ICC 506, EC 583311, ICCVX 906183-1), and the… RUF-35126 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
