Working Document Series Open Access Transforming tertiary agricultural education and training through private sector linkages D.S. Kraybill · I. Minde Typically, capacity strengthening in African tertiary education systems has focused on human and institutional capacity building. Rarely does capacity strengthening embrace the private sector in a major way. Our preposition is that the pri… RUF-34261 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of trends in crop type and land cover change using GIS in Yatta sub-county, Kenya G. N. Karuku · V. M. Kathumo · B. A. Liavoga · R.N. Onwonga +2 more Assessment of the distribution and dynamics of vegetation using remote sensing techniques and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be efficient tools in monitoring agricultural activities as they provide methods for analys… RUF-34258 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of a virtual space for online supervision and mentoring as a novel architecture for learning and improving the quality of graduates’ studies in Africa M. Bji Vaate · D.K. Kiambi · J. Ndung’u-Skilton The quality of tertiary agricultural education is critical because it determines the expertise and competence of scientists, professionals and business leaders in all aspects of agriculture and related industries. Unfortunately, the qualit… RUF-34255 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The giant tiger prawn for sustainable livelihoods of fishers in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria A. I. Hart · P. Isubikalu · G. W. Komi The Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) is the largest marine shrimp that has lived in the Niger Delta coastal waters since 1999. Its marketability and high income as compared to the indigenous shrimp species has attracted a growing number… RUF-34248 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the prospects for tertiary agricultural education in Africa H. Boly · L.M. Da Silva · C. Glym · Frey. H +2 more In order to reduce hunger and poverty across the African continent and build international competitiveness of the African agricultural sector, it will be necessary to trigger and maintain substantial rates of annual agricultural productivi… RUF-34247 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Seasonal rainfall variability, drought characterisation and efficacy of interpolation techniques: Case of Kenya’s central highlands M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more Drier parts Eastern Kenya, endure persistent crop failure and declining agricultural productivity which have been attributed, in part, to high temperatures, prolonged dry-spells and particularly erratic rainfall. Understanding spatial-temp… RUF-34241 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Building Research Capacity: The case of Burundi M. Inamahoro This manuscript narrates the contribution of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to strengthening research capacity of the National Agriculture Research Institute (ISABU). Burundi is among the thr… RUF-34238 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Trend in climate variation in Karamoja Sub-region, northern eastern Uganda D. Aleper · A. Egeru · L. MacOpiyo · M.G.J. Majaliwa +1 more This study focused at determining the spatial and temporal rainfall and temperature characteristics in Karamoja with a view of establishing the intensity of climate variability. The study utilized historical data (1947-1976) and NOAA reana… RUF-34237 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Predicting potential distribution of the coconut whitefly in Mozambique based on ecological niche modeling tool T. Checo · D. Cugala · L. Jose The coconut (Cocos nucifera) whiteûy (Aleurotrachelus atratus), native to Central America has been recorded in various countries in Africa. In Mozambique, the coconut whitefly was reported for the first time in Maputo in 2010. However, the… RUF-34232 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Teaching report writing in crop science to undergraduate agriculture students in a Nigerian University R.O. Akinwale · M.A.B. Fakorede · A. Oluwaranti In response to the urgent need for acquisition of technical writing skill by students, the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria introduced a onesemester course on Report Writing in Crop Science (coded CPP 40… RUF-34228 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Deploying interactive on-line networking platform for improving quality and relevance of African University graduates to labour markets B.O. Bebe · J. Kihoro · N. Kimbugwe · D. Nodumo +1 more African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face criticisms of producing low performing graduates unable to drive the agricultural innovation processes to revitalise agriculture, boost economic recovery, and accelerate achievement of the … RUF-34225 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Agricultural research and development trends and challenges in Mozambique K. Flaherty · A. Nhamusso The Agriculture Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM) with its national research networking has been working in a collaborative manner with the Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) initiative. ASTI is an initiative of IF… RUF-34224 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Physico-chemical properties and antioxidant potential of syrup derived from ‘Madhura’ sweet sorghum grown in different locations in Kenya E. M. Makori · Hunja Murage · Mwanjala Mwasaru · N. O. Ojijo +3 more Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) represents an analogous crop to sugarcane with similar accumulation of sugars in its juicy stems but with a higher agronomic stability to temperature fluctuations, less water requirement and bette… RUF-34211 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Nutritive value of selected indigenous legumes for livestock feed in Namibia N. Hembapu · A. Kahumba · E. Lutaaya · I. Mpofu +1 more The study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional characteristics of five indigenous legumes compared against Lucerne as potential livestock fodder. Samples of the five legumes (Indigofera cryptantha, Rhynchosia totta, Medicago laciniata… RUF-34205 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enzymatic processing of plant fibres for diversified uses M.T. Masarirambi · T.T. Mkhonta · T. Ndlovu · D.A. Otieno +3 more Harsh fibre production processes contributing to challenges in the ecosystem have rekindled the interest on green fibres and eco-friendly products globally. This interest has propelled some developing countries, including Swaziland, to exp… RUF-34202 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing transitory poverty among pastoralists of northern kenya using the stages of progress method W. Kogi-Makau · L. MacOpiyo · J.T. Njoka · W. P. Watete Assessment of poverty among pastoral households using conventional methods may at times give an inaccurate picture of pastoral poverty. Pastoral areas generally fare very poorly in terms of common standard indicators and are thus likely to… RUF-34201 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Cost-sharing of agricultural extension service: What patterns are most effective in Nigeria? N. Ozor With recent changes in the financing and delivery of agricultural extension service worldwide due to inability of some governments to cope with varied needs of clients, most reforms initiated tend towards a pluralistic approach and financi… RUF-34198 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Indigenous knowledge practices for production and management of spider mites and anthracnose in smallholder French bean farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya J. G. Nyaanga · S. O. Ochola · K. O. Ogayo · J. O. Ogendo +2 more A field survey was conducted to inventory the major crops grown, French bean production constraints, pests and diseases and indigenous control strategies. A total of 56 smallholder French bean farmers were interviewed using structured ques… RUF-34196 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The adoption and use of ICT by small scale farmers in Gezira State, Sudan K. El-siddig · J.M. Githeko · N.S. Musa In Sudan common sources of agricultural information that have been used are the radio, television, extension, magazines, newspapers and face-to-face communication. This paper sought to identify the key factors that influence the use of ICT… RUF-34195 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The bio-processing of fibres from Agave sisalana and Agave americana M.T. Masarirambi · T. Ndlovu · J.M. Thwala · V.S. Vilane +1 more Plant fibres play a major role in the lives of many rural peoples, especially women in Swaziland. It is known to produce strong and hard fibres which tend to limit the users in terms of product development. This research study, therefore, … RUF-34194 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access University student-centered outreach for rural innovations and community transformation in northern Uganda S. W. Kalule · B. Mugonola · W. Odongo · D. Ongeng In Uganda, while Universities are considered centers of knowledge creation and dissemination, their explicit role in economic development is largely less developed. Gulu University, at its inception sought to respond to this concern and po… RUF-34193 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of quality and affordable fish feed for small scale fish farmers in Malawi A. Kamangira · J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · V. Kasulo +5 more The project aims at contributing to increased fish production in rural communities of Mpamba in Nkhatabay district of Malawi. The aim is being achieved through developing quality affordable feed from locally available ingredients, evaluati… RUF-34191 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Local-scale governance: a review of the Zambian approach to fisheries management L. Haambiya · D. Kambewa · E. Kaunda · Jeremy Likongwe +1 more Despite recent policies for optimizing sustainable management of fisheries, their success has been modest in practice. Excessive fishing effort and use of unsustainable fishing methods attributed to common-property of and free access to th… RUF-34185 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Preliminary compositional nutrient diagnosis for rubber tree in the humid forest zone of Cameroon E. Ehabe Ejolle · G. Elambo Nkeng · J. Njukeng Nkengafac · Ewalds. Schnug The main source of natural rubber is the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), an important crop to the Cameroonian economy. In order to improve yields while maintaining tree sustainability, nutrient norms must be derived for proper nutrient a… RUF-34183 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Plantwise knowledge bank: Expanding local and global resource pathways for plant health education and research in Africa J. Dennis · S. Hobbs · J. Mulema · W. Ochilo Plant health stakeholders in Africa face many challenges to manage crop pests. Apart from lack of access to vital knowledge and resources, new threats from globalization, climate change and population growth have led to a rapid pace of cha… RUF-34179 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
