Working Document Series Open Access Uncovering the potential of resource-poor farmers through increased access to improved agricultural technologies: The Malawi model N. Khaki · A. Sefasi Malawi has faced consistent incidences of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. These have been attributed in part to frequent droughts. In addition, privatization policies forced the country to put the burden of keeping food reserves and prov… RUF-34920 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An analysis of technical efficiency of mixed intercropping agroforestry technology: A case of Zomba district in Malawi Abdi-Khalil Edriss · B. Kakhobwe · M.B. Kwapata · J. H. Mangisoni +1 more The study was conducted in Zomba district in Malawi, in 2005/ 2006 cropping season with the main objective of assessing technical efficiency (TE) of mixed intercropping (MI) agroforestry technology. Study population consisted of 101 farmer… RUF-34906 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysing legume market chains to enhance livelihoods and environmental systems within maize-based farming systems in Malawi V. Kabambe · A. Kabuli · P. Mapfumo This paper analyzes the marketing of legumes in Malawi with special focus on the seed supply chain, the actors, activities, and the business environment that the commodity goes through as it moves from producers to buyers and consumers. Th… RUF-34894 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The impact of responding to the actual constraints expressed by farmers’ experience from the Malawian inputs subsidy initiative S. J. Carr Rather than continue with the promotion of an agricultural strategy developed independently of the smallholder community the Government of Malawi has responded to the urgent demand from farmers for access to fertiliser to counteract the so… RUF-34843 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land and its utilisation in southeast Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali Since the attainment of national independence in 1980 land distribution has dominated if not defined the agrarian debate in Zimbabwe. However, evidence of increasing hectarage of fallow land in communal lands, where 70% of the population r… RUF-34748 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Explanatory variables associated with the yield perfomance gap among small, medium and large scale sugar cane growers at Ubombo Sugar B. M. Dlamini · M. Mbuyazwe Dlamini In Swaziland, sugar cane is grown on small, medium and large scale. The yield of sugarcane between these grower types is large, with small scale producers having the least yield. The study was therefore carried out to determine factors res… RUF-34747 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of different types of organic fertilizers on growth, quality and yield of tomatoes in sandy soil M. I. Khalid Hamden This study was conducted in Bara locality during the period 2009-2010 to assess the impact of using different types of organic fertilizers on tomato yield growing in a sandy soil. Five treatments were compared, i.e., compost, fresh chicken… RUF-34738 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of fecal manure from cattle fed Calliandra, Gliricidia and Luecaena browse/maize silages on soil productivity F. B. Bareeba · H. Kato · E. N. Sabiiti Browses have tannins and lignin which bind protein N and fiber and could subsequently affect release of manure nutrients in the soil when fed to animals. In this experiment, which was a pot experiment, cattle fecal manure from browse/maize… RUF-34733 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of nitrogen and phosphorous rates and sources on grain and forage yield of maize in river Nile State A. Abd Elrahman · Ezeldeen Ahmed The study was conducted at two locations, namely, Hudeiba Research Station Farm (moderately fertile soil) and Matera (poor soil) in River Nile State for two seasons between 20082010. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect… RUF-34716 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Adapting soybean varieties to soil fertility variability for increased productivity in smallholder systems of Uganda P. Ebanyat · G. Elepu · P. Tukamuhabwa Biophysical conditions; climate and soil types underpin the suitability for growing of different crops at larger scales such as the agroecological regions while at the lower scales, crop production is governed by soil fertility status and … RUF-34712 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Integrated soil fertility management in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo B.J. Bashagaluke · R.D Birindwa · L.N. Cizungu · M.J. Walangululu This paper describes a collaborative research involving South Kivu province in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi to disseminate resilient agro-ecosystem packages. Modifying crop arrangement by planting legumes within and bet… RUF-34705 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of optimised innovative soil fertility and water management technologies on maize production in two contrasting soils in Harare, Zimbabwe S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata +1 more Poor soil fertility and fertiliser management coupled with increased frequency of mid-season droughts induced by climate change have made it difficult for urban farmers to get sustainable crop yields especially on sandy soils. Urban farmer… RUF-34692 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of lime and phosphorus fertilizer on maize performance in acid soils of western Kenya J.R. Okalebo · V.S. Omenyo · C.O. Othieno Western Kenya continues to experience food insecurity due to increasing soil acidity and consequent phosphorus deficiencies with 0.9 million hectares of land having pH < 5.5. Liming is one of the interventions recommended to ameliorate … RUF-34675 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Strengthening researcher-extension-farmer participation in soil fertility restoration for sustainable crop production in western Kenya E. Adipala · B. Amar · L. Didier · S.O. Gudu +14 more Food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) results mainly from common and prolonged droughts, fertility depleted soils, poor economies and insignificant researcher-extension-farmer contacts to demonstrate technologies. The soils are predo… RUF-34673 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by groundnuts grown in acid soils through amendment with calcitic and dolomitic limestones R. Merckx · J.K. Ogega · J.R. Okalebo · D.K. Okello +5 more Groundnut (Arachis hypogeal L.) is an oil crop legume capable of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Soil acidity is a major limitation to symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Acid soils are widespread in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda where groundnut … RUF-34659 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of innovative farmer practices in soil fertility and water management on soil productivity and maizeand leafy vegetable production in Harare, Zimbabwe S. Madyiwa · J. Nyamangara · B. Nyamasoka · P. Nyamugafata Poor soil fertility and increased frequency of mid-season droughts due to climate change have made it difficult for urban farmers to get sustainable crop yields especially on sandy soils. Higher yields can be attained by urban farmers if p… RUF-34657 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The effect of super phosphate and planting density on mini-tuber production from true potato seed T. A. Mtaita · M. Mutetwa · M. D. Shoko Improving tuber seed quality and availability is institutionally complex in the tropics and sub-tropics. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of superphosphate and plant density on mini-tuber production from true pota… RUF-34649 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management empirical knowledge into action through participatory learning and marketing with farmers in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +1 more In this paper we report on findings from a co-learning experience we undertook with smallholder farmers in two areas in Zimbabwe aimed at developing their capacity to apply integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) options to improve foo… RUF-34639 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmer - managed trials for evaluation of rhizatech and legumefix in Bungoma district Kenya C. Majengo · W. Ngetich · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno The nitrogen reserve of agricultural soils must be replenished periodically in order to maintain an adequate level for crop production. This replacement of soil nitrogen is generally accomplished by the addition of fertilizers or as produc… RUF-34615 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of soil and landform characteristics for implementation of conservation agriculture in West Usambara Mountains, Lushoto District, Tanzania D. Kimaro · L.A. Kyaruzi · H.B. Msita Developing strategies that promote conservation agriculture in the West Usambara Mountains in Tanzania poses a particular challenge. This research used empirical and qualitative method to assess soil and landform characteristics in relatio… RUF-34613 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Phosphate sorption by andisols and ultisols, and its implication on phosphorus bioavailability in the wet tropics of Tanzania E. Kisetu · J.P. Mrema Phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption behaviour of Andisols of Siha - Kilimajaro and Ultisols of Magadu -Morogoro, Tanzania was studied in pot experiments. This was to facilitate development of P management strategies for enhanced maize p… RUF-34606 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing factors influencing types, rate of application and timing of fertilizer use among small-scale farmers of western Kenya M.K. Kifuko-Koech · A.K. Kipkoech · K.W Ndungu · A.O. Nekesa +1 more Many soil fertility amelioration technologies exist in western Kenya, but the factors that influence the adoption, and the economic returns of these technologies needs to be assessed. In this study, the value cost ratios (VCR) of five diff… RUF-34603 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determining appropriate mode and rate of applying lime to improve maize production in acid soils of north Kakamega and Siaya districts, Kenya J.K. Kiplagat · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno Increasing soil acidity is a major cause of low soil fertility in western Kenya where about 57,670 hectares is acidic. While liming can increase soil pH, the most appropriate method of application needs to be determined. This study aimed a… RUF-34599 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative effects of Minjingu phosphate rock and triple super phosphate on residual P in an Ultisol A.M. Kalala · J.M.R. Semoka A glasshouse experiment was conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture to compare the effects of Minjingu Phosphate Rock (MPR) and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) on Residual Phosphorus in an Ultisol. The soil was collected after seven ye… RUF-34593 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative effect of farmyard manure, cowpea residues and NPK Fertilizer on maize grain yield in Morogoro G. Habonayo · C.L. Rweyemamu · J.M.R. Semoka Optimal combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers can give rise to increased maize yields in nutrient depleted soils. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of cowpea residues and combinations of inorganic fertilizers on maiz… RUF-34587 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
