Working Document Series Open Access Market-chain innovation enhances smallholders’ access to markets: Insights from the sweet potato sub-sector in Uganda B. Akello · P. Lusembo · I. Mugisa · W. Nakyagaba +1 more Smallholder farmers in developing countries such as Uganda are faced with the difficulty of accessing sustainable markets. Such farmers include those growing sweet potato, and are becoming increasingly marginalized as urban markets demand … RUF-34815 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Producer and consumer preferences for maize and sorghum quality characteristics in Uganda R. Ajambo · B. Bashaasha · G. Elepu · P. Okori Maize and sorghum are important staple food crops in Uganda and are emerging cash crops. Despite release of several improved varieties of maize and sorghum, adoption rates among farmers remain low. This is due to breeding programmes ignori… RUF-34809 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Factors hindering extension staffs efficiency in assisting maize farmers in western province in the agricultural reform era M. Adijah Ali-Olubandwa · N. J. Kathuri · D. Odero-Wanga · W. A. Shivoga The extension service in Kenya is charged with the responsibility of ensuring sustainable food production that is sufficient for domestic use and for export. The extension staff performance is constrained by various factors which may have … RUF-34808 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing socio-ecological change dynamics using local knowledge in the semiarid lowlands of Baringo District, Kenya R. Kinuthia Ngugi · D.M. Nyariki · V.O. Wasonga A clear understanding of the social and ecological change dynamics in pastoral ecosystems is imperative for formulation of appropriate policies that ensure sustainable resource use and livelihood security of pastoral households. Spatial an… RUF-34803 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conceptualisation and measurement challenges in modelling pastorilists’ risk and vulnerability instigated by droughts in the group ranches of Kenya K. Farah · J. Njoka · D.M. Nyariki · E. Obudho +1 more This on-going study is assessing and modeling vulnerability and risks faced by pastoral communities in the dry areas of Lakipia in Kenya. Preliminary results from participatory rural appraisal indicate that poverty is widespread and the ar… RUF-34801 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of climate change scenarios and variability in Uganda L. Aribo · E. Komutunga · J.G.M. Majaliwa · C. Nandozi +1 more Understanding how climate will change over time provides a valuable insight into how the challenges as result of climate change (CC) and variability can be responded to. The general objective of the study was to generate information to gui… RUF-34796 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the impact of climate change and climate variability on agricultural productivity in selected climatological zones of Uganda: An overview Y. Bamutaze · M. Nabasirye · M. M. Nsengiyunva · C.A. Shisanya +1 more Climate change and climate variability are a major threat to livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The IPCC report of 2007 indicates that SSA is the most vulnerable region to climate change and climate variability due to the weak econom… RUF-34794 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Livelihoods under climate variability and change: An analysis of the adaptive capacity of rural poor to water scarcity in Kenya’s drylands S. W. Chege · W.N. Ekaya · W. N. Mnene · P. N. Mongare +3 more Rainfall, which is the main source of water in Kenya’s drylands areas, shows very high spatial and temporal variability. Crop, forage and livestock production closely follow rainfall trends thus putting livelihoods of a number of household… RUF-34792 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An overview to climate change in North Africa: Implication for Africa M. Hussein Sulieman · M. Muna Elhag North Africa is one of the worlds most water-scarce and dry region with a high dependency on climate-sensitive agriculture and a large share of its population and economic activity in flood-prone urban coastal zones. Therefore, climate cha… RUF-34788 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Land use/land cover changes and their impact on the human-elephant conflict in Laikipia West District, Kenya Wellington Ekaya · T. W. Mumu · G. A. Olukoye Changes in land use and cover between 1973 and 2008 in Laikipia West district, Kenya was studied. The district shares a boundary with a protected wildlife area that among others has elephants. These often raid crops in addition to competin… RUF-34786 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Validation of satellite derived rainfall estimates over Kenya C. B. Lukorito · E. Muigai Njoroge · N. J. Muthama · G. O. Ouma Precipitation is one of the major components of the earth’s climate system. Many countries in the tropics depend on rainfall for the agricultural and hydrological activities which are dominant in their economies. Rainfall information is a … RUF-34783 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial variability in subterranean termite assemblage on grazing lands in semi-arid Nakasongola, Uganda C. Bakuneta · D. Mpairwe · S. Mugerwa · J. Nderitu +2 more Surges in termite activity and the associated destructive behavior have resulted into enormous deterioration of grazing lands in semi-arid Nakasongola in the drylands of central Uganda. Termites frequently attack and severely damage grasse… RUF-34780 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of land-use and climate change and variability on pollution loading in rivers of eastern Uganda and albertine rift P. Isubikalu · J.G.M. Majaliwa · P. Mukwaya Climate change and variability is one of the major environmental challenges that are likely to affect the livelihood of mankind for a very long time. At local scale, global climate change and variability trends can be amplified by Land use… RUF-34776 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of spatio-temporal redistribution of major crops and livestock mobility due to climate change and variability in Uganda L. Aribo · P. Isubikalu · E. Komutunga · J.G.M. Majaliwa +4 more Considering how climate will change over the years offer important insight into how the challenges as result of climate change (CC) and variability can be responded to. Modeling and descriptive studies are being conducted in Uganda to gene… RUF-34775 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing the capacity of Kenya on climate risk reduction and climate change adaptation for sustainable agricultural productivity and food security C. B. Lukorito · G. O. Ouma Most vulnerable groups in countries in Sub Saharan Africa including Kenya are the poor who have least capacity for coping with the adverse impacts of the current climate extremes, and adapting to future climate changes. Lack of suitable co… RUF-34772 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate variability: Pastoralists’ perception, practices and enhancing adaptive pasture use for food security in Choma District, Southern Zambia O. C. Chibinga · N. M. Musimba · M. Nyangito · J. Simbaya Pastoralists have managed their production system for many centuries and have had detailed knowledge of the biodiversity and environment of their grazing lands. Feeding of livestock is though still a major challenge to sustainable producti… RUF-34769 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Monitoring vegetation phenological stages using remote sensing data for pasture management in arid and semi-Arid lands of Kenya M. K. Ambani · C. B. Lukorito · G. O. Ouma The objective of this study was to monitor grassland phenological stages in selected arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya, so as to provide information useful in pasture management. Five years of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index… RUF-34760 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Production of disease-free papaya planting materials of known sex for commercial fruit production A.W. Kihurani · M. Mwaniki · M.M. Waiganjo · F.K.R. Wanzala Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a medium sized fruit crop with a potential to produce fruits throughout the year. The ripe fruits, which are very rich in vitamins A and C, are popularly used for dessert or processed into jam or wine. Due to i… RUF-34756 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of seed bed preparation on morphometric characteristics of Eragrostis superba, Cenchrus ciliaris and Enteropogon macrostachyus in southeastern drylands of Kenya W.N. Ekaya · D.M. Nyariki · F. E. O. Omondi This study compared over a 6-month period effects of tractorploughing and hand-clearing seedbed preparation on morphometric characteristics of three arid and semi-arid grass species, namely; Eragrostis superba Peyr, Cenchrus ciliaris L and… RUF-34755 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of Chilli pepper genotypes for yield and reaction to field diseases V. Nsabiyera · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula · P. Sseruwagi The performance of 25 chilli (16 exotic and 9 local) genotypes for yield and associated traits and reaction to field diseases was assessed at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)- Namulonge from June-November, 2009. Tot… RUF-34753 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of cowpea leaf harvesting initiation time on yields and profitability of dual-purpose sole cowpea and cowpea-maize intercrop J.N. Aguyoh · F. M. Itulya · S. Mwanarusi · G. Owour Dual-purpose cowpea production is a common component of many tropical and sub tropical subsistence farming systems. However, limited information exists on effects of leaf harvesting initiation time on yields and profitability of dual-purpo… RUF-34752 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land and its utilisation in southeast Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali Since the attainment of national independence in 1980 land distribution has dominated if not defined the agrarian debate in Zimbabwe. However, evidence of increasing hectarage of fallow land in communal lands, where 70% of the population r… RUF-34748 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Explanatory variables associated with the yield perfomance gap among small, medium and large scale sugar cane growers at Ubombo Sugar B. M. Dlamini · M. Mbuyazwe Dlamini In Swaziland, sugar cane is grown on small, medium and large scale. The yield of sugarcane between these grower types is large, with small scale producers having the least yield. The study was therefore carried out to determine factors res… RUF-34747 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of pruning on yield and quality of selected indeterminate tomato lines C. Mbonihankuye In this study, we investigated the effect of prunning intensity on tomato fruit yield of five introductions and one variety. Tomato line significantly affected all tomato yield components in addition to marketable and non-marketable yield.… RUF-34744 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Banana farming in Kenya: Options for rejuvenating productivity J. Mbaka · Maina Mwangi Bananas constitute an important component of farm enterprises in the mid altitudes of central and eastern provinces of Kenya. In recent years the crop has steadily gained importance over traditional cash crops, e.g. coffee, and various sho… RUF-34742 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
