Working Document Series Open Access Challenges facing research institutions in using information and communication technologies to disseminate agricultural information to farmers in Gezira State, Sudan K. El-siddig · J.M. Githeko · N.S. Musa In this study the challenges of effective use of ICTs to disseminate agricultural information were investigated. The study also sought to determine whether the extent of ICTs usage influenced the quality, timeliness and usefulness of disse… RUF-35170 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of information dissemination pathways on small scale tea production in western Kenya V. Mbigidde · G. Owour · I.M. Tabu The yield of tea, an important cash crop in Kenya, has been declining amongst the small scale farmer’s inspite of the research recommendations. A survey was carried out in western Kenya to determine the effect of information dissemination … RUF-35168 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating accessibility and usability of dissemination pathways for delivering climate information and services to vulnerable groups in semi-arid Kenya V. Kirui · Bebe. Omedo · Oseni. Saidu Access and use of climate information and services are essential for building adaptation to impacts of climate change. These include early warning systems, weather forecasts, and research outputs relating to climate change adaptation in re… RUF-35163 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improvement of land use information flow for mangroves forest conservation and rural farming in Democratic Republic of Congo F.P. Banga · R.S. Lumbuenamo · G.O. Obati Communities adjacent to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mangrove forest areas depend on subsistence farming systems. These farming systems are characterized by insufficient use of improved knowledge and technology, and low levels of pro… RUF-35153 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Maturity, age and growth of Oreochromis karongae (Teleostei: cichlidae) in Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe M. Banda · F. Kapute · E. Kaunda · Morioka. Sinshuke Size-at-50% maturity, age and growth, of Oreochromis (Nyasalapia) karongae (‘chambo’) in Lakes Malawi and Malombe were studied. Similar size-at-50% maturity and growth patterns were found for populations in Lake Malawi, but differences wer… RUF-35013 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Pig lymphnode lesions and an immunohistochemical analysis on selected abattoir-derived lymphnode samples for the presence of African swine fever virus L. Ojok · P. Ssajjakambwe In order to gain an insight into the pig lymphnode lesions and African swine fever antigen occurrence, this study was designed based on an abattoir survey. The study was carried out at the Nalukolongo abattoir located at the outskirts of K… RUF-34967 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 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 The determinants of fuelwood demand: A case of Olio sub-county eastern Uganda A. Egeru · P. Isubikalu · E. Katerega · J.G.M. Majaliwa +1 more This study investigated the determinants of fuelwood demand, estimated the elasticity of the determinants, and determined changes in land use/cover and its effect on biomass dynamics. It also documented fuelwood scarcity coping strategies.… RUF-34854 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Policy implications for wide scale adoption of sustainable land management technologies in eastern Uganda M. Barungi · Abdi-Khalil Edriss · D. Ng’ong’ola · M. Waithaka This study, to be conducted in the highlands of eastern Uganda, will document existing local policies and incentive systems in relation to sustainable land use management. Various techniques, including questionnaire surveys, group discussi… RUF-34827 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Land use/land cover changes and their impact on the human-elephant conflict in Laikipia West District, Kenya Wellington Ekaya · T. W. Mumu · G. A. Olukoye Changes in land use and cover between 1973 and 2008 in Laikipia West district, Kenya was studied. The district shares a boundary with a protected wildlife area that among others has elephants. These often raid crops in addition to competin… RUF-34786 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of land-use and climate change and variability on pollution loading in rivers of eastern Uganda and albertine rift P. Isubikalu · J.G.M. Majaliwa · P. Mukwaya Climate change and variability is one of the major environmental challenges that are likely to affect the livelihood of mankind for a very long time. At local scale, global climate change and variability trends can be amplified by Land use… RUF-34776 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 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 Effect of land use and cover change on carbon stock and water quality of River Atari in Kapchorwa-Uganda F. Kansiime · J.G.M. Majaliwa · J. Sirike The objective of this study was to examine the trend in landuse/ cover change around Atari micro-catchment and determine the effect of these changes on carbon stock and Atari river water quality. An Earth Resources Data Analysis System (ER… RUF-34698 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 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 Soil survey information for sustainable agriculture in Ikwuano local Government area Abia State South East Nigeria G.E. Akinbola · B.O. Nuga A semi-detailed soil survey of the land of Ikwuano Local Government Area Abia State South East Nigeria was undertaken. The soils were sampled with the aid of soil auger to identify major soil types and their morphological properties (e.g. … RUF-34655 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing water use efficiency of cassava and sorghum based cropping systems in drylands G. Kironchi · R. Mulebeke · M. M. Tenywa Soil moisture flow characteristics, infiltration and storage in the root zone determine the overall availability and use efficiency of water in crop production. This study is evaluating the effects of cropping systems and tillage managemen… RUF-34646 2010 CC BY 4.0 9 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Study of heavy metal contamination along roadside soils of Botswana G.K. Gaboutloeloe · A.S. Likuku · B.E. Mochoge This study examined presence of heavy metals (aluminium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc) along Botswana roads. These metals are toxic to human and animals. The mean values of these metals were below toxic range, ind… RUF-34637 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving soil nutrients and water management to increase crop yield for enhanced livelihoods of small scale farmers in semi-arid eastern Kenya B.O. Danga · K.B. Mmolawa Food insecurity in Kenya is on the increase unless appropriate measures are taken. This is because nearly 80% of the land is arid to semi-arid and therefore not favorable for crop production using the current methods of production. The iss… RUF-34636 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving smallholder irrigation performance in Malawi D. Kadyampakeni · C. Makwiza · H.R. Mloza-Banda The paper reports work aimed at improving livelihoods of smallholders by providing investors, policymakers and implementers with concrete knowledge and tools to make informed investment decisions on small-scale irrigation water management … RUF-34630 2010 CC BY 4.0 8 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Constraints of rehabilitating degraded semi-arid lands of Kenya using indigenous perennial grasses W.N. Ekaya · K.Z. Mganga · W.M. Muiru · N.K.R. Musimba +3 more Land degradation which among others include loss of vegetation is rampant in Kenya, destroying both the fragile arid and semiarid lands and the non-arid areas. Efforts to rehabilitate semiarid areas by re-vegetation has often failed. This … RUF-34628 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 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
