Working Document Series Open Access Improving access to information for rural and agricultural development using ICTs in northern Uganda: Lessons and experiences J.C. Achora Access to information by rural farming communities is one of the major constraints to agricultural development in Uganda because of inadequate extension service delivery. The use of information communications technologies (ICTs) can potent… RUF-35146 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Willingness to pay for sound waste management in urban and peri-urban areas of the Lake Victoria crescent region Uganda L. Drake · W. Ekere · J. Mugisha Waste management constitutes one of the most crucial health and environmental problems facing local governments in Uganda. In the Lake Victoria crescent region, Kampala residents generate over 1,500 tons of waste per day. However, only a s… RUF-35041 2010 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 Impact of social networks on food security among formerly displaced households in Lira, northern Uganda R. E. Mazur · B. B. Obaa We examine the influence of social networks on resource access and food security in post-conflict Lira, northern Uganda. Based on an on-going food security recovery project targeting formerly displaced households, preliminary results of in… RUF-35003 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Livelihood diversification and enhanced food security through agro-pastoralism: Socio-cultural and other challenges among Maasai pastoralists of Narok North district of Kenya N. J. Kathuri · J. G. Mwangi · A. O. Nkurumwa The Maasai of Narok North District Kenya have started adopting agro-pastoralism as a livelihood diversification strategy. This study sought to determine the socio-cultural challenges faced in agro-pastoralism and the relationships between … RUF-34994 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing potato production and market access in Uganda E. Katungi · A. K. Katwijukye · J. Mugisha Potato value chain in Uganda is characterised by many scattered small farmers and buyers facing high transaction costs, resulting from lack of mutually beneficial linkages between actors in the chain and market coordination problems in ter… RUF-34970 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Tourism and agriculture linkages: Determinants of local agricultural products purchase by hotels at the Kenyan coast P.M. Mshenga This paper investigated the local agricultural products purchased by tourist hotels, the hotel purchase and the hotel characteristics influencing purchase of local agricultural products. The study was conducted in coastal Kenya. Multistage… RUF-34966 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Stakeholders’ views and perceptions on emerging conflicts with respect to apiculture in the western Usambara mountains, Tanzania G.C. Kajembe · D.N. Kimaro · G.E. Mbeyale · J. Sinyangwe The study identified key stakeholders and their interests and analyzed socio-economic factors influencing the perceptions and resource use conflicts of apiculture as an intervention towards improved natural resource management (NRM) by loc… RUF-34962 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 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 Institutional arrangements and stakeholder power relations underlying apiculture for conservation of natural resources in west Usambara Mountains,Tanzania G.C. Kajembe · D.N. Kimaro · G.E. Mbeyale · G. Sicheeba A study was conducted whereby 98 respondents were interviewed out of which 54 were beekeepers while 44 were non –beekeepers. Statistical package SPSS v 16 was used to analyze the data. Age, awareness of national beekeeping policy, awarenes… RUF-34958 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 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 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 The contribution of women to food and fodder production in war affected areas of Gulu District in Uganda G. Ebiyau · J. Kabirizi · J. Kigongo · C. Namazzi +3 more Smallholder women dairy cattle farmers in war affected areas of Gulu district in Northern Uganda play a pivotal role in food and fodder production. The major constraint to improved cattle production is feed shortage resulting in a reductio… RUF-34881 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 Analysing the agricultural science and technology innovation systems: A case study of the banana sub-sector in Uganda Margaret Kabahenda · M. Kapiriri Bananas are an important staple food crop and livelihood base for about 16 million people in Uganda. Its survival over the years can be traced to key factors and actors, who through learning, adjusting and innovations have sustained banana… RUF-34864 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Capacity for sustaining agricultural innovation platforms in Rwanda: A case study of research into use project L. Dusengemungu · P. Kibwika The research was conducted in Rwanda on four agricultural Innovation Platforms (IPs). These IPs focus on cassava, round potato, maize production and farmers’ associations. Capacity building is vital to sustain these platforms beyond the pr… RUF-34850 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An economic analysis of milk markets and competitiveness in Malawi’s dairy industry J. Banda · Sylvia Chindime · J. Mugisha This study will analyze the current arrangements in the milk marketing structures, conduct performance as well as the competitiveness amongst these markets in Malawi. Emphasis will be on the broader analysis of market system context and in… RUF-34845 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Human resource practices, person organization fit and commitment among University lecturers I. M. Birungi · J. Kikooma · J. Ntayi The aim of this study is to understand how Human Resource Management (HRM) practices affect the people, or human resources, who work for the organization. Information generated is vital in driving the organizational strategies and goals in… RUF-34833 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Factors hindering extension staffs efficiency in assisting maize farmers in western province in the agricultural reform era M. Adijah Ali-Olubandwa · N. J. Kathuri · D. Odero-Wanga · W. A. Shivoga The extension service in Kenya is charged with the responsibility of ensuring sustainable food production that is sufficient for domestic use and for export. The extension staff performance is constrained by various factors which may have … RUF-34808 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing socio-ecological change dynamics using local knowledge in the semiarid lowlands of Baringo District, Kenya R. Kinuthia Ngugi · D.M. Nyariki · V.O. Wasonga A clear understanding of the social and ecological change dynamics in pastoral ecosystems is imperative for formulation of appropriate policies that ensure sustainable resource use and livelihood security of pastoral households. Spatial an… RUF-34803 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conceptualisation and measurement challenges in modelling pastorilists’ risk and vulnerability instigated by droughts in the group ranches of Kenya K. Farah · J. Njoka · D.M. Nyariki · E. Obudho +1 more This on-going study is assessing and modeling vulnerability and risks faced by pastoral communities in the dry areas of Lakipia in Kenya. Preliminary results from participatory rural appraisal indicate that poverty is widespread and the ar… RUF-34801 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An overview to climate change in North Africa: Implication for Africa M. Hussein Sulieman · M. Muna Elhag North Africa is one of the worlds most water-scarce and dry region with a high dependency on climate-sensitive agriculture and a large share of its population and economic activity in flood-prone urban coastal zones. Therefore, climate cha… RUF-34788 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015