Working Document Series Open Access Farmer perceptions and knowledge on soil quality indicators and their use in soil fertility monitoring M. Karuhanga · S. Kiconco · J. K. Tumuhairwe Assessing soil quality is important so as to learn about the effects of management practices on soil function, create awareness and education, and provides a basis for evaluation of alternative practices. Soil quality often cannot be direc… RUF-35054 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of pond plastic sheeting on water temperature and improved growth of fish in Dowa, Malawi L. Banda · E. Kaunda · P. Longwe · M. Matsimbe +2 more Temperature is one of the limiting constraints to increasing fish production in areas where temperatures are below 25oC. In most areas in Malawi temperatures are between 14 - 24oC (www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/malawi.htm), with the e… RUF-35052 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of dietary protein, lipid and androgen (11 - ketotestosterone) levels on the progeny of Oreochromis andersonii (castelnau, 1861) broodstock J. Kang’ombe · D. Kassam · Alexander Shula Kefi The study on the effect of dietary protein, lipid and 11 – Ketotestosterone (11 – KT) levels on the progeny quality of Oreochromis andersonii broodstock will be conducted at National Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, Kitwe, Zamb… RUF-35051 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Integrating indigenous and scientific soil quality indicators for improved crop production F. Bagoora · M. B. Karuhanga · M. M. Tenywa · J. S. Tumuhairwe Research has improved understanding of technical indicators of soil quality (TISQ) and their assessment criteria. Yet knowledge on farmer-perceived indicators of soil quality remains limited. The study intends to establish and validate ind… RUF-35046 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of water quality parameters on Opsaridium microlepis catches in the Linthipe River in central Malawi D. Jamu · E. Kaunda · M. Limuwa · F. Maguza-Tembo +1 more The dwindling catches of the fish Opsaridium microlepis (locally called mpasa) from the Linthipe river in Malawi is of great concern. This is especially so given that the species has disappeared from some other river systems in Malawi. One… RUF-35045 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management knowledge into livelihood benefits through farmer learning and participatory action in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe Smallholder agriculture production is constrained by poor technology adoption often linked to lack information dissemination strategies, among other factors. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of participatory information mana… RUF-35042 2015 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Willingness to pay for sound waste management in urban and peri-urban areas of the Lake Victoria crescent region Uganda L. Drake · W. Ekere · J. Mugisha Waste management constitutes one of the most crucial health and environmental problems facing local governments in Uganda. In the Lake Victoria crescent region, Kampala residents generate over 1,500 tons of waste per day. However, only a s… RUF-35041 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characterisation of wild and cultured Oreochromis shiranus in Malawi I. Changadeya & Kosgey · D. Kassam · C.S. Lewuantai · A. Maluwa Oreochromis shiranus is a Malawi indigenous tilapia fish species. The aim of the study is to characterise the species phenotypically and genotypically within and between wild strains, unimproved and improved cultured strains. Phenotypic ch… RUF-35039 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil properties effects and management of organic residues to improve C sequestration, reduce N losses and improve crop yields B.O. Danga · Z. Getenga · B. Mochoge · J. Mugwe Rates of decomposition of organic materials in soil determine the amount of carbon (C) which is mineralized and released as CO2 versus the amount of C that is retained in various forms in the soil. Decomposition rates also greatly influenc… RUF-35037 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparison of field and laboratory measured hydraulic properties of selected diagnostic soil horizons J. G. Chimungu · M. Hensley · L. D. Van Rensburg This study characterised the hydraulic properties of two soil types in South Africa, Bainsvlei and Tukulu using both field (instantaneous profile method) and laboratory (desorption techniques). The results showed that the two approaches we… RUF-35033 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of water distribution systems at Igomelo Farmer-Managed Irrigation Scheme in Tanzania R. Amy Mchelle · I. Nganga · A.K.P.R. Tarimo Evaluation of water distribution systems at Igomelo irrigation scheme was conducted to assess the performance of the scheme after intervention of the Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT). The scheme was divided into three blocks: head, mid… RUF-35028 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing fish production and marketing for food security and rural incomes of small-scale producers in Malawi J. Banda · B. Chirwa · T. Chitsulo · D. Jamu +6 more Low fish production continues to be persistent problem among small scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. An action research using the value chain approach that links university and other actors to the farmers will guide implementation of th… RUF-35024 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Financial viability and acceptability of specific packages of dairy production and marketing innovations in Wedza, Zimbabwe R. T. Mano · N. T. Ngongoni · P. I. Zvinorova Low viability indicators and high operating ratios indicated poor viability in the smallholder sector, with the exception of rich farmers. Variations in gross margins were associated with heterogeneity of farmers in resource endowments, al… RUF-35021 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Quality and risk assessment of safety hazards in fresh fish and fish products in Malawi J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · C. Kiiyukia · J.S. Likongwe +1 more Food quality and safety issues are becoming a major concern globally due to increased and widespread emerging risks related to food borne illnesses. Countries around the world are creating food safety agencies in compliance with national a… RUF-35018 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Economic viability of biogas energy production from family-sized digesters in Uganda D. Lars · J. Mugisha · P. N. Walekhwa Biogas energy is being evaluated to augment traditional energy sources in Uganda. However, its development remains rudimentary partly because of the lack of information regarding its economic viability. Based on primary data on households … RUF-35016 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Maturity, age and growth of Oreochromis karongae (Teleostei: cichlidae) in Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe M. Banda · F. Kapute · E. Kaunda · Morioka. Sinshuke Size-at-50% maturity, age and growth, of Oreochromis (Nyasalapia) karongae (‘chambo’) in Lakes Malawi and Malombe were studied. Similar size-at-50% maturity and growth patterns were found for populations in Lake Malawi, but differences wer… RUF-35013 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of women’s access to business credit on gender relations in rural households: A case of Uasin Gishu district, Kenya R. Karega · P. Tangut The effects of women’s access to business credit on gender relations in rural households in Kenya was studied. The study covered Uasin Gishu District of Kenya. The primary respondents were women entrepreneurs, beneficiaries of a micro fina… RUF-35012 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Reproductive biology and cryopreservation of milt of Alestes baremoze (Joannis, 1835) of Lake Albert, Uganda M. Agaba · J.S. Balirwa · G.M. Kamugisa · D. Kassam +1 more This study is designed to generate knowledge relevant to the domestication, breeding, production and propagation of Alestes baremoze fish species in captivity through artificial spawning and in vitro fertilization. The study aims at broade… RUF-35007 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Utilization of woody plants as food in times of food scarcity in selected dryland areas of Iringa district, Tanzania V. E. Tairo Iringa District in Tanzania is a semi-arid area that is prone to frequent crop failures. Food insecurity is widespread and often the communities use woody plants as alternative source of livelihood. Although the use of woody plants as food… RUF-35006 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of social networks on food security among formerly displaced households in Lira, northern Uganda R. E. Mazur · B. B. Obaa We examine the influence of social networks on resource access and food security in post-conflict Lira, northern Uganda. Based on an on-going food security recovery project targeting formerly displaced households, preliminary results of in… RUF-35003 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Fish farming for improved income and food security of small scale farmersan initiative of the RUFORUM Community Action Research Programme (CARP) J. Banda · L. Banda · B. Chirwa · T. Chitsulo +9 more African trypanosomiasis is a major disease in several countries in eastern Africa, Uganda inclusive. This study is examining the role of oligopeptidase B (opB) in virulence of the vector Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and T. brucei gambien… RUF-34999 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Livelihood diversification and enhanced food security through agro-pastoralism: Socio-cultural and other challenges among Maasai pastoralists of Narok North district of Kenya N. J. Kathuri · J. G. Mwangi · A. O. Nkurumwa The Maasai of Narok North District Kenya have started adopting agro-pastoralism as a livelihood diversification strategy. This study sought to determine the socio-cultural challenges faced in agro-pastoralism and the relationships between … RUF-34994 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Population dynamics and impact of trawling on the population structure of four key-indicator fish species in the South East arm of Lake Malawi A.M.E. Bulirani · E. Kaunda A study to assess impact of trawling on fish species population and dynamics has been initiated in Lake Malawi. Population dynamics of four indicator species will be monitored and used as a proxy indicator of the status of fishery in Lake … RUF-34989 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of market opportunities of Meat in Uganda D. Mpairwe · J. Mugisha · J. Nalubega Beef production in Uganda is estimated at an average of 160,000 metric tones per year giving the national meat consumption per capita in Uganda as 11 kg which is lower than the 40 kg recommended by the World Health Organization. The presen… RUF-34988 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Estimation of consumer preferences for cowpea in Uganda T.S. Hyuha · J. Mundua · B. Tayebwa This study conducted in eastern Uganda, assessed consumer and market vendors preferances for different cowpea varieties grown in Uganda. Both consumers and market vendors prefered large white seeded grains. The study recommends adding valu… RUF-34983 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
