Working Document Series Open Access Gender Roles in Soil Fertility and Water Management for Maize (Zea mays L.) Production in Urban Agriculture: A Case for Harare, Zimbabwe J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata A survey of 205 farmers in Harare and Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe was conducted to characterise soil fertility and water management practices used by urban farmers to produce maize and to determine the influence of gender on their use. Results s… RUF-32731 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Translating Integrated Soil Fertility Management Empirical Knowledge into Action through Participatory Learning and Marketing Agricultural Produce in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +2 more The study sought to identify suitable mechanisms for transferring the available knowledge on concepts and principles of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies to smallholder farmers and agricultural service providers in Z… RUF-32722 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Preliminary Assessment of Socio-economic Potential for Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) in Semi-arid Bobirwa Sub-district of Eastern Botswana B. Kayombo · O. Mpatane · C. Patrick This report is an account of an on-going study being carried out in Mathathane, Motlhabaneng and Tsetsebjwe villages of Bobirwa Sub-district in eastern Botswana to assess the socioeconomic potential for RWH. Bobirwa Sub-district has a mean… RUF-32715 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access An Assessment of the Processes and Pathways to Achieve Innovation in Conservation Agriculture in Malawi: A Case of Machinga Agricultural Development Division D. Kambewa · J. Kamoto · C. Mloza-Banda · H.R. Mloza-Banda +1 more A study was carried out in Machinga Agricultural Development Division, located in the Southern Region of Malawi to assess the institutional arrangements for implementation of conservation agriculture (CA). Social network analysis was used … RUF-32706 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Utilisation of Fallow Land in South Central Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali The purpose of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land between 1984 and 2010 in Zimbabwe’s communal areas and its utilisation. Chivi district, which is located in south central Zimbabwe, was used as a … RUF-32695 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access A Synthesis of Factors that Contributed to the Decline in the Number of Practical Assessed Projects for the Junior Secondary Education in Botswana K Hulela The purpose of this ethnographic research study was to investigate the factors that contributed to the decline in the number of practical assessed projects in junior secondary education in Botswana. The study was conducted at the Botswana … RUF-32594 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Maize streak virus (MSV) diversity in Uganda and the assessment of gene silencing as a tool for development of resistance to MSV B.E. Owor · D.M. Shepherd · J.A. Thompson Through an extensive survey conducted in all maize-growing regions in Uganda as well as the application of gene silencing to develop a novel disease control option for maize streak disease, the diversity of Maize streak virus (MSV) in diff… RUF-32561 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Crude Extracts of Viscum Verrocosum Treatment on Nematode Parasite Faecal Egg Count in Female Tswana Goats V. Bonang · J.B. Machete · O.R. Madibela · T. Moncho +1 more The present study was carried out at Notwane Farm of Botswana College of Agriculture with local Tswana goats. Goats graze and browse on a mixture of Acacia savanna with broadleaved middle layer trees with no or little supplementation. Infe… RUF-32447 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Rainfall Trends, Soil Organic Carbon and N15 Isotope Status in Selected Wetlands in Lesotho R. Mating · T. Nkheloane · A.O. Olaleye This research was carried out in Lesotho to characterize the SOC pool in three different agro-ecological zones of Lesotho. Specific objectives of this research are: (i) to determine the effect of land use on SOC pool; (ii) to establish the… RUF-32417 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of Business Performance of Agricultural Cooperatives: A case study of Ngolowindo, Nsangu and Chitsanzo Cooperatives in the Central Region of Malawi Sera Gondwe · M. Lwanda · B. Maonga · S. Phiri The Government of Malawi has been promoting the establishment of farmer organisations including cooperatives in an effort to help small-scale farmers improve their income and develop their managerial skills by venturing into a business ori… RUF-32320 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Factors Influencing Access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management Information and Knowledge and its Uptake Among Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · T.C. Mashavave +2 more Lack of access to information and knowledge generated through formal research has been identified as a major drawback to adoption of agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. This study evaluated how farmers acquire,… RUF-32277 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Setting out to Evaluate Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) for Crop production at Botswana College of Agriculture W.J. Baipusi · B. Kayombo · C. Patrick This report is an account of an on-going study being carried out at Botswana College of Agriculture Farm to characterise soil surface conditions on runoff generation of micro-catchment RWH systems, and to appraise these micro-catchment RWH… RUF-32251 2012 CC BY 4.0 15 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Fire Regime Characterisation and Mapping in the Niassa National Reserve: Preliminary Results Cangela Aménio · Natasha Ribeiro Niassa National Reserve (NNR) located in northern Mozambique is the largest conservation area in the country. It is subjected to fires every year due to agricultural and forestry activities. This study aims to map and characterise the fire… RUF-32242 2012 CC BY 4.0 15 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Quality and Processing Potential of Goats Produced by Smallholder Farmers in Malawi F. Chigwa · S. Muyila This research will evaluate carcass quality and processing potential of goat meat produced by smallholder farmers in Malawi. The farmers will keep local Malawi goat and Norwegian goats under three management systems (intensive, extensive a… RUF-32235 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Development and Adoption of Technologies for Improving Dairy Productivity and Nutrition among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Malawi W. Chanza · T. Gondwe · D. Kawonga · L. Msiska This is as an action research project which will be conducted in the farming communities in Majiga and Chitsanzo Milk Bulking Groups in Central Malawi. The aim of the research is to develop feed technologies for improving dairy productivit… RUF-32232 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Pigeon pea-Groundnut Intercrop Maize Rotation Cropping System: A Tool for Improving Maize Production in Malawi J. Mrema · J.J. Msaky · A.T. Phiri · G.Y.K. Phiri A two year study to investigate how to optimally utilize applied mineral nutrients by maize grown in rotation with pigeon peagroundnut intercrop is under way at Chitedze Agricultural Research Station (S 130 59’ 23.2", E0330 38’ 36.8"). An … RUF-32227 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Temperature-dependent Egg development rates and Hatching period of Chambo, Oreochromis Karongae (Pisces: Cichlidae) D. Kassam · J.S. Likongwe · J.S. Valeta A study was conducted to assess the effect of temperature on egg development in an attempt to improve hatching success and fry production in Oreochromis karongae. Temperaturedependent development rates and hatching period for fertilized eg… RUF-32216 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Local Processing of Plant Fibres: Current Status of the Industry in Swaziland M.T. Masarirambi · T.T. Mkhonta · D.A. Otieno · J.M. Thwala +2 more A variety of natural fibre based products are made in Swaziland for local and export markets. Minimal or no treatment is done to the fibres to improve quality and hence their low comfort properties which reduce their marketability. The ai… RUF-32089 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Potential Role of Cereal-Legume Intercropping Systems in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Small holder Farming Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa J.M.M. Matusso · M.W. Mucheru-Muna · J.N. Mugwe The sub-Saharan Africa’s population is growing exponentially and it has to fulfill its food and nutrition requirement. An attractive strategy for increasing productivity and labour utilization per unit area of available land is to intensif… RUF-32039 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effectiveness of Rhizobium Leguminosarum Strains Nodulating Hairy Vetch, an Introduced Forage Legume in the Sandy Soils of Zimbabwe F Mapanda · A. Tumbure · M. Wuta Results from field experiments in Zimbabwe in 2009/10 - 2010 11 showed that nodulation of hairy vetch is erratic resulting in poor performance of the crop. The need to inoculate hairy vetch was therefore assessed using three (3) Rhizobium… RUF-32034 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of Soil Quality on Potential of Forage Establishment in Chivi Fallow Lands, Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · S. Ncube · B. Tavirimirwa There have been concerns about the poor communal grazing resources and the resulting degradation and depletion of communal rangelands in Zimbabwe. Different government departments, researchers, and non-governmental organisations have imple… RUF-32030 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Short-Term Effects of Soil Fertility, Tillage and Residue Management on Soil Organic Carbon, Aggregate Stability and Water Infiltration on a Sandy Soil in Urban Agriculture, Harare S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata +1 more Manure is a key nutrient resource to urban farmers due to its multiple benefits, especially on inherently infertile sandy soils. Research on cattle manure in sub-Saharan Africa has mainly focused on its role in supplying N required by crop… RUF-32009 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Ecology and Safer Management of Storage Insect Pests in Sorghum Smallholder Farming Systems H. Machekano · B.M. Mvumi · R. Rwafa This study seeks to develop safe, effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to the conventional organophosphate-based insecticides and generate better understanding of storage insect pest population dynamics so as to identify app… RUF-32001 2012 CC BY 4.0 13 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Developing Management Options for Optimising Water and Nitrogen Utilisation for Maize Production in Malawi F.C. Kahimba · J. Mthandi · B.A. Salim · A.K.P.R. Tarimo Nitrogen (N) is the most important determinant of plant growth and crop yield. Plants lacking N show stunted growth and yellowish leaves. Plant growth and crop yield usually increase when N is added. However, too much N lead to weak stems … RUF-31931 2012 CC BY 4.0 12 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Forest Dependency and livelihood around Kasane Forest Reserve, Botswana J. Alavalapati · J Lepetu · P.K. Nair Conservation of biodiversity in protected areas will be more challenging if local communities are heavily dependent on them for various products and subsistence needs. This study estimated forest dependency and identified factors influenci… RUF-31798 2012 CC BY 4.0 5 May 2014
