Working Document Series Open Access Characterization of water absorption properties of a partial bio-composite made from cotton stalk fibres and phenol formaldehyde resin C. Londiwe Nkiwane · J. Mwasiagi Igadwa · D. Njuguna · Z. Nkosilathi Nkomo +1 more Cotton stalks are a by-product of cotton farming and about two to three tonnes of cotton stalks are generated per hectare of land farmed. In this research, fibres extracted from waste cotton stalks using natural retting and decortication w… RUF-36417 2016 CC BY 4.0 26 Oct 2016
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Students’ perceptions of the first-year experience in higher education: The case of women’s university in Africa Raymond Erick Zvavanyange This study sought to explore students’ perceptions of the first-year experience in higher education with a special focus on Women’s University in Africa (WUA). The study was centered on three (3) objectives which were to: explore the barri… RUF-35993 2016 CC BY 4.0 25 Jul 2016
Journal articles Open Access Validation of the use of secondary traits and selection Indices for drought tolerance in tropical maize (Zea mays l.) C. Magorokosho · X. Mhike · P. Okori · Ndlela. Thokozile Breeding progress for drought tolerance in maize has been slow since drought tolerance is a complex trait controlled by many genes. Breeders improving maize for drought tolerance have therefore been using secondary traits and selection ind… RUF-35606 2012 CC BY 4.0 7 Oct 2015
Journal articles Open Access An appraisal of farmer variety selection in drought prone areas and Its implication to breeding for drought tolerance Shamiso. Chikobvu · Kassie. Girma Tesfahun · C. Magorokosho · X. Mhike +1 more Maize production and productivity among small scale farmers of southern Africa is limited mainly by drought and low soil fertility. This study aimed at assessing how farmers prioritize selection of varieties for planting under drought stre… RUF-35601 2012 CC BY 4.0 7 Oct 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Temporal population dynamics of stored maize insect pests and efficacy of safer grain protectants in the smallholder sector of Zimbabwe H. Machekano The overall objective of the study was to establish the efficacies of different inert dusts alone and in combination with safer levels of a synthetic pyrethroid or a bio-pesticide as grain protectants. Parallel on-station ecological studie… RUF-35592 2013 CC BY 4.0 7 Oct 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Innovative breeding for drought tolerance and fertilizer use efficiency in maize S.C. Muchena This paper highlights outcome of research that was initiated as part of a graduate PhD research thesis, but has today led to development of commercial maize varieties in Southern Africa. It clearly demonstrates that university-based resear… RUF-35218 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Seed-borne viruses detected on farm-retained seeds from smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh and Vietnam W. Manyangarirwa · C.N. Mortensen · J. Sibiya The smallholder farming sector in much of the developing world relies on the use of farm-retained seed. The availability of good quality disease free seed is important in enhancing food security but seed-borne viruses can be a major proble… RUF-35119 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the effects of conservation agriculture and related technologies on soil biodiversity, crop and labour productivity in semi-arid Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · E. N. Mutsamba · I. Nyagumbo This on-going study is examining the linkage between termite prevalence and residue amount under conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe. Preliminary results show that convectional ploughing had lowest termite abundance while tied ridging inc… RUF-35098 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of integrated water and nutrient management technologies on crop and labour productivity in Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · I. Nyagumbo Poor soils, erratic rainfall, frequent dry spells have been cited as the major threats to the development agricultural in Southern Africa. This experiment was designed to evaluate the benefits derived from post planting tied ridging, conse… RUF-35088 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the benefits of action learning processes in driving integrated soil fertility management benefits among smallholder farming communities in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · P. Mapfumo · T.C. Mashavave · F. Mtambanengwe +1 more The widespread fragmented adoption of improved soil fertility management options among smallholder farmers can partly be attributed to poor diffusion of acquired knowledge. Using participatory action research approaches, a study was conduc… RUF-35077 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 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 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 Milking procedures and prevalence of mastitis and mastitis specific-pathogens in selected smallholder dairy herds in Zimbabwe G. Matope · M. Ndengu · D.M. Pfukenyi · Katsande. Simbarashe A cross-sectional study was carried to collect milk samples for bacteriological examination and somatic cell counting in diary cows in Zimbabwe. Of the total animals tested, 172 (29.5%) had mastitis with 84% (144/172) of them having subcli… RUF-34960 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The impact of fodder flow systems practiced by small scale dairy farmers on milk production and economic viability in Marirangwe smallholder dairy scheme of Zimbabwe N. Sikaceya An analysis was made for the cattle feed quality used by the small-scale and large-scale producers in Marirangwe, Zimbabwe. This was done to try and explain the huge disparity between milk production by the two dairy sectors. Feed-staff fr… RUF-34956 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Technology adoption by smallholder farmers: Lessons from the soyabean research/promotion program in Zimbabwe S. Mpepereki Agricultural research programs in universities in sub-Saharan Africa generate technologies few of which are adopted by the smallholder farmers. A technology that demands significant additional inputs be they financial or physical is less l… RUF-34943 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determination of milk components lost in whey during the manufacture of three cheese types P.T. Banda · C.T. Ndavambi · W. Parawira A small-scale farm in Harare processes soft goat cheese from goat milk and feta and gouda cheese from jersy cow milk. Milk constituents were measured in milk and as residual components in whey after processing cheese. Residual phosphorus a… RUF-34940 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Prominence of goat milk consumption and determinants of attitudes towards the milk in five agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe P.T. Banda · S. Mpofu · D.M. Pfukenyi This study determined the prominence and determinants of attitudes towards goat milk consumption in agro-ecological zones I to V of Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 545 households and analyzed using SPSS. Generally, milk was consumed at … RUF-34928 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses, prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe G. Matope · D. Mosalagae · D. Pfukenyi The study assessed milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses and prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe. A total of 119 dairy producers were interviewed; 21 (17.6%) … RUF-34918 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic and phenotypic evaluation of Zimbabwean Jersey cattle towards the development of a selection index T.E. Halimani · E.V Imbayawro-Chikosi · E.M. Missanjo A multitrait selection index for Zimbabwean Jersey cattle was constructed using 10 986 records (305-day) from 25 herds with calving period from 1996 to 2008 using data from the Livestock Identification Trust. Genetic and phenotypic paramet… RUF-34915 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Estimation of the total viable bacterial counts of raw and processed milk from selected smallholder dairy farms of Zimbabwe P.T. Banda · G. Matope · T.A Mhone A study conducted in several diary farms in Zimbabwe revealed high levels of bacteria in both processed and raw milk. This is a public health concern. Efforts need to be put in place to minimize such high loads of bacterial counts. RUF-34907 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Breed preference, selection criteria and production performance of dairy cattle in the selected smallholder dairy farms in Zimbabwe B.T. Hanyani-Mlambo · E.V Imbayawro-Chikosi · L. Marius · C. Mutisi This study identified breed preferences, production performance and selection criteria used in selecting dairy breeds in Zimbabwe. A questionnaire based survey was conducted on 109 smallholder dairy farmers in Zimbabwe and data were analyz… RUF-34869 CC BY 4.0 14 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 Effects of optimised innovative soil fertility and water management technologies on maize production in two contrasting soils in Harare, Zimbabwe S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata +1 more Poor soil fertility and fertiliser management coupled with increased frequency of mid-season droughts induced by climate change have made it difficult for urban farmers to get sustainable crop yields especially on sandy soils. Urban farmer… RUF-34692 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of innovative farmer practices in soil fertility and water management on soil productivity and maizeand leafy vegetable production in Harare, Zimbabwe S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata Poor soil fertility and increased frequency of mid-season droughts due to climate change have made it difficult for urban farmers to get sustainable crop yields especially on sandy soils. Higher yields can be attained by urban farmers if p… RUF-34657 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management empirical knowledge into action through participatory learning and marketing with farmers in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +1 more In this paper we report on findings from a co-learning experience we undertook with smallholder farmers in two areas in Zimbabwe aimed at developing their capacity to apply integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) options to improve foo… RUF-34639 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
