Working Document Series Open Access Enzymatic processing of Agave sisalana and Ananas comosus plant fibres and fibre waste for diversified use T.T. Mkhonta · D.A. Otieno · J.M. Thwala · P.E. Zwane This study is being carried out to (i) characterise and explore the use of enzymes as an alternative method of fibre softening for sisal (Agave sisalana) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) leaves, (ii) determine the fabric hand on sisal jewelr… RUF-32960 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Integrated Water and Nutrient Management Technologies on Soil Profile Moisture Content and Grain Water Productivity in Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · I. Nyagumbo · P. Nyamugafata This paper reports results of an on-farm experiment done to quantify soil moisture storage, water and water productivity of maize and soybean as affected by tillage and fertility management systems during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 cropping s… RUF-32954 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Incorporating Crotalaria Species in Cropping Systems for the Management of Root-knot Nematodes in Indigenous Vegetable Crops in Western Kenya A.K. Kipkoech · J.M. Mbogoh · L. Ngode · P. Njira +2 more There is rekindled interest and increased demand for African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) by rural and urban dwellers of all socio-economic classes in Kenya. This has stimulated production of these vegetables but their supply has not been able … RUF-32950 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Temporal Population Dynamics of Storage Insect Pests and their Management Using Safer Grain Protectants in Maize Smallholder Systems of Zimbabwe B.M. Mvumi · R. Rwafa The study aims to determine peak flight activity periods and develop a safer and more efficacious grain protection strategies using different combinations of new and commercial diatomaceous earths (DEs), biopesticides and minimal pyrethroi… RUF-32944 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Tracking University Development Contributions: Emerging Indicators from Moi University M. Namumbya Kapiriri Agricultural universities have a tripartite mandate to design and deliver effective and development relevant academic, research and outreach programmes. Conventional university training, tracking, grading and reporting emphasizes the acade… RUF-32919 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Building Local Capacities for Innovative Research through RUFORUM: Experiences from South Sudan M.L. Mogga South Sudan is endowed with abundant natural resources that can sustain diverse agricultural activities. Decades of civil strife greatly hindered agricultural development until peace returned with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agr… RUF-32917 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Harnessing Regional Capacity to Build Agricultural Capacity for Africa: The case of the Intra-ACP academic Mobility Project for 12 Universities in Africa E. Adipala · R. Batte · P. Kibwika · F. Kyazze The ACP-EU Academic mobility programme has awarded a grant of • 1,980,150 to Makerere University to support collaboration among 12 Higher Agricultural Education Institutions (HAEIs) in Africa with the aim of providing relevant and internat… RUF-32913 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Harnessing the Capacity of African Universities to Foster Rural Transformation in Africa E. Adipala The rural African farmer characterizes agriculture in Sub- Saharan Africa. Their yields and productivity remain low and significantly below the global averages for key staple crops including cereal. Due to reliance on rainfall and inabilit… RUF-32904 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Using Crotalaria Species for the Management of Root-knot Nematodes of Vegetables in Western Kenya H.K. Cheruiyot · A.K. Kipkoech · Njira Njira · J.O. Ochuodho +1 more Vegetable production western Kenya is constrained by soilborne pathogens including plant-parasitic nematodes. Almost all vegetable production fields in are infested with root-knot nematodes. There is therefore need to design measures for s… RUF-32903 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The effect of gypsum and NPK fertiliser on groundnut performance in Western Tanzania F.M. Bagarama · Z.P. Matata · E. Shenkalwa This study was carried out to determine the effect of amending soil with gypsum rich material on the performance of groundnuts (Arachis hypogea L.) grown in low fertile sandy textured soil in the miombo woodland ecosystem, western Tanzania… RUF-32893 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Contribution of Agroforestry to Natural Resources Management, Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation: Experiences from Tabora Region, Western Tanzania B.M. Gama · A. Kitalyi · P. Matata · G.I. Nyadzi +1 more Food insecurity, natural resources degradation and climate change are among the most critical challenges facing Tanzania and indeed, the developing world today. There is decreasing agricultural productivity as a result of increasing land d… RUF-32889 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Water Stress Effect on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Two Wheat Varieties S.H. Ahmed · A.A. Ali Wheat is one of the first food crops to be domesticated and is a basic stable food in Europe, Asia and Africa. Wheat production is limited by insufficient water especially in the hot dry environments. In the arid and semi-arid regions, whe… RUF-32879 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of Botanical Insecticides on the Egg Parasitoid Trichogramma Cacoeciae Marchal (Hym. Trichogrammatidae) H. Abdelgader This study was carried out to test the effect of the botanicals azadrichtine and Quassin on the parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae. For each of these, 2 formulatons were used i.e., Neemazal T/s Blank and Celaflor for azadrichtine and Alcohl… RUF-32871 2012 CC BY 4.0 20 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of Climate change Impact on Sorghum Productivity in Sudan M. Muna Elhag Water rather than land is the limiting factor for crop production in Sudan. More than 80 percent of sorghum, which is the major stable food crop in the country, is grown in the rainfed subsector. This paper reports on a study of the impact… RUF-32866 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Rainfed Sorghum Productivity in Central Tanzania N. Kihupi · B. Msongaleli · F.B.R. Rwehumbiza · S.D. Tumbo The central regions of the country stretching from Dodoma to Mwanza account for three-quarters of Tanzania’s 500,000 to 800,000 ton annual sorghum harvest. The zone is one of the most sensitive to climate variability and change mainly owin… RUF-32864 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Applying Large Area Modelling Approach to Assess the Impacts of Climate Variability and Change: Informing Policy and Adaptation - A review N. Kihupi · B. Msongaleli · F.B.R. Rwehumbiza · S.D. Tumbo This review highlights some pertinent methodologies in dealing with uncertainty in climate projections and how crop models are increasingly used to support decisions at various levels to guide food security policy formulation, management a… RUF-32863 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access On-farm Analysis of the use of clear Plastic Pond Sheeting for Enhanced Growth and Productivity of Tilapia Rendalli and Oreochromis Shiranus Polyculture in Earthen Ponds E.W. Kaunda · J.M. Kihoro · C.G. Salima The effect of clear plastic sheeting on growth of Tilapia rendalli and Oreochromis shiranus polyculture and pond productivity was assessed in twelve 200m2 ponds in Dowa district, Malawi. Clear plastic sheets of 200 microns were installed 5… RUF-32837 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the Performance of the Aquaculture Fish Marketing chain: A case of Dowa and Mchinji Districts in Malawi D. Kaunda · D. Lisungu Banda · E. Ngongola This study was carried out in Dowa and Mchinji Districts in the Central Region of Malawi. The main purpose of the study was to improve the marketing system of the small scale fish farmers for increased income with particular focus on asses… RUF-32822 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economic Analysis of Fish farming in Mbale-sub region, Eastern Uganda A. Akol · Halasi Gidongo Zech · T.S. Hyuha · F. Muyodi +1 more Aquaculture is an important fish subsector in Uganda. It provides alternative employment opportunity along the entire value chain. Though aquaculture is facing many limitations like market imperfections, it is still being promoted as a sec… RUF-32802 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The RUFORUM Community Action Research Programme: A Programme to Link African Universities to Communities and Agribusiness E. Adipala · E. Nambi · P. Nampala · C. Ntwali The Community Action Research Programme of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is an initiative that aims to support universities in Africa to better support rural communities to improve their pro… RUF-32796 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economics of Management of Farmer Associations in Western Kenya A.K. Kipkoech · S. Mwakubo · O.A. Nekesa · J.O. Ochuodho +3 more Farmer associations (FAs) have the capacity to improve earnings and the general welfare of their members when they are well managed. In this study, we characterise three umbrella FAs in western Kenya namely, Bungoma Small-Scale Farmers For… RUF-32795 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access University Outreach Support to Farmer Associations in Western Kenya: The Case of The RUFORUM’s Community Action Research Project (CARP) at Moi University A.K. Kipkoech · P.O. Mongare · C. Navalayo · J.O. Ochuodho +7 more Moi University’s School of Agriculture obtained a research grant from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) under the Community Action Research Program (CARP) to carry out a research leading to the … RUF-32782 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing Market Opportunities Through Value Chain Development: The Role of University Research J.N. Jagwe This paper was solicited to highlight the potential role of university research in enhancing market opportunities through value chain development. A definition of agricultural value chain is presented to get a common understanding of the t… RUF-32755 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Scaling up innovation platform approach implementation in Rwanda L. Dusengemungu · P. Ndayisenga The adoption of innovation platform approach is gaining credence in the Districts of Rwanda. This paper gives a picture of the Platforms initiated by Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) in Kirehe, Bugesera, Nyamagabe and Muhanga Districts. It … RUF-32753 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Determination of sugarcane yield advantages of Mycorrhiza inoculants on Ferralsols S.O. Kibirango · C.L. Kizza · J.G.M. Majaliwa · E. Sebuliba +1 more Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is the source of sugar in all tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Understanding the performance of sugarcane in Uganda is therefore vital in light of the new challenges for the development… RUF-32743 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014