Working Document Series Open Access Implementation and accomplishment of the MSc Agrometeorology and Natural Risk Management Program at Harmaya University, Ethiopia Shimeles Beneberu · Kibret. Kibebew · Nigatu Lisanework Africa is the most vulnerable region to climate change/variability/hazards. More than ever, improved understanding of early warning systems including weather and climate prediction and initiatives highlighting the effects of global warming… RUF-33896 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of establishment of released parasitoid as biological control agent against the invasive fruit fly D. Cugala · R. Cumbe Fruit flies (Bactrocera invadens) are considered the most important and devastating pests of fruits and vegetables in the World due to their potential to cause damage in fruits. In Mozambique, classical biological control is viewed as a po… RUF-33895 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effects of climate variability on Prosopis juliflora spread, vegetation trends and livestock dynamics in the drylands of Kenya J. Kinama · R. Kyuma · R.G. Wahome · V.O. Wasonga The effects of climate variability and Prosopis juliflora invasion on pastoral livestock production and pastoral livelihoods have not been assessed. A study was conducted to determine the effect of climate variability and Prosopis juliflor… RUF-33891 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for pod quality, pod yield and disease resistance in climbing snap beans J. J. Cheptoo · P. M. Kimani · R.D. Narla Although climbing snap bean have the potential of increasing productivity and competitiveness in domestic and export markets, suitable varieties with market demanded pod quality characteristics and preferred agronomic traits are not availa… RUF-33885 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Constraints and opportunities for sustainable partnership between Universities, small-holder farming communities and development agencies: The case of the WATERCAP Project in Uganda F. Birungi Kyazze · P. Kibwika · N. Kiggundu Efforts were undertaken through the auspices of a collaborative project “Strengthening Universities Capacities for Mitigating Climate Induced Change Water Vulnerability – WATERCAP” to address a key challenge of water scarcity in dryland ar… RUF-33884 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Pod quality, pod yield and disease resistance of new bush snap bean lines in Kenya J. J. Cheptoo · P. M. Kimani · R.D. Narla This study was conducted at Mwea and Embu where twenty F6.7 lines selected from 31 bulk populations were evaluated for reaction to diseases, pod quality and pod yield in onfarm trials during the 2013 long rain and short rain seasons. Disea… RUF-33881 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate warming and range shifts of four medicinal plants in Africa: Insights from predictive bioclimatic models B.E Isabirye · N.C. Mweya · I. Rwomushana · J.R.S. Tabuti +1 more Medicinal plant species constitute an accessible and affordable health-care alternative, and are an important source of livelihood for indigenous and rural populations. However, over harvesting and habitat losses due to land use and fragme… RUF-33880 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Diversity assessment of cassava mutants, hybrids and landraces using morphological markers E. E. Arunga · M. Chelulei · E. Chepkoech · S. Kimno +2 more Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a very important crop in terms of adaptability to various micro-environments, flexibility in management, returns, and multiple uses as food and in various industries. Knowledge of levels of genetic variation … RUF-33871 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Leveraging mining infrastructure and procurement for long-term agricultural supply chain productivity and development D. Doepel · J.G Howieson · M.P McHenry · J. Walls +1 more Harnessing natural resources in mining and agriculture is a key driver of economic growth, generating large government revenues and export earnings, leading to considerable investment, growth, employment, and social benefit. However, in ma… RUF-33864 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of entrepreneurship training of smallholder farmers on soybean productivity and household incomes in Lango Sub-region, Northern Uganda P. Ebanyat · W. Ekere · L. Rokani · P. Walekwa The soybean value chain has a potential to increase smallholder farmers’ incomes and has significant growth potential yet soybean farming households lack services such as education which is tailored to address the real challenges they face… RUF-33858 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Type and distribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture production systems in Nairobi County, Kenya J.B. Mukundi · M.N. Ogendi · M.O. Orege This research established the type and distribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture production systems in Nairobi County, Kenya. Results revealed that crops only were grown in Kamukunji district (58.8%) while mixed farming was practice… RUF-33855 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characteristics of urban agricultural farming practices and spatial nature of production systems in the city of Nairobi, Kenya P.W. Masinde · J.B. Mukundi · N. Muthoka · M.O. Onyango Within the urban environment, urban agriculture faces myriad of challenges ranging from type of practices employed, through to production systems, to quality and safety of produce. An investigation was done to characterise urban agricultur… RUF-33852 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving the competitiveness of the potato and carrot value chain in Kenya: An agro- cluster approach P.M. Mshenga The competitiveness of any agribusiness is based on its role within its environment, its relationship and linkages with other actors within which it operates. In this study, we use cluster approach to get an insight into what roles and lin… RUF-33847 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Embedding entrepreneurship in agribusiness teaching in African Universities to enhance competitiveness of the agribusiness sector N. P. Carsten · K. Manjur · P.M. Mshenga · B. Mugonola +1 more In recent times, there has been changes taking place in agriculture requiring smallholder farmers to shift their focus from subsistence farming to commercialisation. This can be enhanced by connecting agricultural education and research to… RUF-33843 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection strategy for developing maize inbred lines with drought and disease resistance in Uganda G. Asea · B. U. L. Castiano · R. Edema Breeding for host plant resistance along with performance traits requires the use of an effective breeding method and selection strategy. Such a selection strategy and related indices should contribute to reducing the time required for bre… RUF-33842 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Strikes in sugarcane mills: The forms of resistance of migrant workers in Brazil C. Maciel · M. Marilda This paper analyse forms of resistance of migrant workers from rural areas of Northeastern regions of Brazil who labour in the harvesting of cane sugar in sugarcane mills in the state of São Paulo. The focus is the analysis of some “sponta… RUF-33834 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of different planting methods on performance of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) in Kerio Valley and Marigat, Kenya E. O. Auma · W. K. Bii · L. Ngode The New Rice for Africa (NERICA) which was developed to solve the food crisis has been adopted by farmers in Kenya. Attempts have been made to choose methods of planting for NERICA production but their effectiveness has not been well under… RUF-33833 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Agro Market Day L. Katusiime Every district in Uganda has markets which open on different days selling a variety of produce. Farmers bring their produce to these markets with the hope of getting buyers but it is not always obvious that they get buyers so they have to … RUF-33829 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Components of resistance that reduce the rate of blast epidemic in GULU-E finger millet variety of northern Uganda J. C. Aru · P. Okori · N. Wanyera There is a large demand for finger millet in East Africa, which is produced in the lake region countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda among others. In Uganda, finger millet is second only to maize as a major cereal crop, and occu… RUF-33826 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Profitability and consumer preference of pond raised fish among fish farmers and consumers in Northern Malawi W.W.L. Jere · A. Kamangira · F. Kapute · V. Kasulo +1 more The consumption and demand for fish is on the increase in Africa and Malawi in particular. The supply of fish per person in the country has, however, been steadily decreasing such that the per capita consumption of fish is less than 13-15 … RUF-33823 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Grain yield stability of cowpea genotypes in contrasting environmental conditions in Southern Mozambique J. A. Alfredo · R. M. Chiulele In Southern region of Mozambique crop yields are very unpredictable mostly due to high intra and inter-seasonal and spatial rainfall variability. Assessing yield stability in this region is crucial for identifying best performing genotypes… RUF-33816 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Gynotypic performance of ten cowpea varieties for optimum productivity E. A. Akinrinde · B. T. Morufu · O. D. Ojo In Nigeria, cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) are grown mainly for home use and are processed into many products including boiled, baked or roasted beans among others for national food security. Growing cowpea could be very cumbersome fo… RUF-33812 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The role of farmers’ organizations in linking smallholder farmers to maize markets in Eastern Uganda G. Elepu · P. Gimbo · P. Kibwika The warehouse receipt system for maize (Zea mays L.) was introduced in Uganda to enhance farmer access to markets and credit in order to increase the efficiency of the maize value chain and to improve smallholder incomes. Though, since the… RUF-33808 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Sudanese Withania somnifera: a potential control agent for plant microorganisms E. A. Adil Bala · R. Delorme · P-H. Ducrot · J. Einhorn +4 more For centuries plants have been used throughout the world as pesticides, drugs and remedies for various diseases. However, pesticides and drugs in general, tend to be very expensive particularly so for the developing countries. Comparative … RUF-33804 2014 CC BY 4.0 10 Aug 2015
Journal articles Open Access Effect of perforation-mediated modified atmosphere packaging and storage duration on physicochemical properties and microbial quality of fresh minimally processed ‘Acco’ pomegranate arils Jacobs Karin · Manley Marena · J. Caleb Oluwafemi · Linus Opara Umezuruike +1 more This study investigated the effects of number of perforations (P-0, -3, -6 and -9 per 160.1 cm2) and storage duration on the physicochemical quality attributes and microbiological quality of fresh minimally processed pomegranate (Punica gr… RUF-33775 2015 CC BY 4.0 20 Jul 2015