Working Document Series Open Access Market-chain innovation enhances smallholders’ access to markets: Insights from the sweet potato sub-sector in Uganda B. Akello · P. Lusembo · I. Mugisa · W. Nakyagaba +1 more Smallholder farmers in developing countries such as Uganda are faced with the difficulty of accessing sustainable markets. Such farmers include those growing sweet potato, and are becoming increasingly marginalized as urban markets demand … RUF-34815 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of pruning on yield and quality of selected indeterminate tomato lines C. Mbonihankuye In this study, we investigated the effect of prunning intensity on tomato fruit yield of five introductions and one variety. Tomato line significantly affected all tomato yield components in addition to marketable and non-marketable yield.… RUF-34744 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Banana farming in Kenya: Options for rejuvenating productivity J. Mbaka · Maina Mwangi Bananas constitute an important component of farm enterprises in the mid altitudes of central and eastern provinces of Kenya. In recent years the crop has steadily gained importance over traditional cash crops, e.g. coffee, and various sho… RUF-34742 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Understanding the persistence of foot-and-mouth disease in Uganda: The case of western Uganda A.R. Ademun Okurut · P. Isubikalu · C. Masembe · V. Muwanika Livestock, one of the important agricultural sectors in the lives of millions of people world over, is greatly affected by epidemics of Trans-boundary animal diseases (TAD). Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most important TAD tha… RUF-34739 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Participatory control of Newcastle disease in village poultry using thermostable vaccines in Uganda D.K. Byarugaba · J.L. Nakavuma · A. State Village poultry is one of those abundant assets for the rural poor in Uganda that could be utilized to eradicate poverty in the country since poultry farming addresses the needs of the underprivileged in society especially women and childr… RUF-34717 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 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 Building Capacity for Food Security in Africa: Underlying issues, challenges and opportunities Sylvia Chindime · A. Kaaya · M. Karuhanga · C. Ntwali +1 more Africa’s development will depend largely on three key factors; political stability, a vibrant agricultural sector and a pool of skilled, innovative and entrepreneural graduates able to spur innovations. This paper outlines the rationale fo… RUF-34554 2010 CC BY 4.0 4 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conserve and screen premium value indigenous plant biodiversity and products on women smallholder farming systems of East Africa L.S.M. Akundabweni · A. Namutebi Various interventions for promoting the premium value of indigenous plants (IPs) are being adopted to enhance their status in the food sub sector. The project aims to enhance women smallholder farmers’ capacity in target Lake Victoria Basi… RUF-34426 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Policy Briefs Open Access Research Briefs for the Fifth Graduate Research Grants Call RUF-34333 2015 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Creating an innovation platform for research impact: Lessons from the smallholder soyabean program in Zimbabwe S. Mpepereki This paper outlines the establishment of a broad innovation platform on to which more players were invited in efforts to meet the demands of participating farmers. We share this experience to encourage others to undertake impact-oriented p… RUF-34316 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Harnessing agricultural science for the people: Are African Universities doing enough? S. Mpepereki Agricultural research in many African universities has been project-based and piece-meal, failing to focus on understanding the socio-cultural context of African agricultural systems and their interaction with the physical environment, and… RUF-34315 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Establishment of LMD-Aligned Master programme in post-conflicts countries of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa E. Adipala · L. D’Haese · Freedom. King · C.L. Kizza +4 more Food insecurity and poor health are recognized as key drivers of emergence of conflicts in low income countries. Sustainable peace building strategy should therefore consider investing in increased access to food and nutrition while simult… RUF-34312 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Two heads are better than one: Strengthening partnerships in research and higher education D. Doepel · M.P McHenry · S. Sharma Perhaps more than ever our survival as a species is dependent on our collective problem solving ability. Our ability to thrive requires creativity and innovation to seize some amazing opportunities. In both cases - solving problems and sei… RUF-34280 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving graduate competencies through field attachments: Experiences from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University P. Ebanyat · P. Isubikalu · B. B. Obaa · H. N. Opolot The demand for skilled university graduates to address practical development challenges is higher today than ever before. Field attachment is one of the main approaches for integrating competence building into academic programmes in many u… RUF-34276 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of a virtual space for online supervision and mentoring as a novel architecture for learning and improving the quality of graduates’ studies in Africa M. Bji Vaate · D.K. Kiambi · J. Ndung’u-Skilton The quality of tertiary agricultural education is critical because it determines the expertise and competence of scientists, professionals and business leaders in all aspects of agriculture and related industries. Unfortunately, the qualit… RUF-34255 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The giant tiger prawn for sustainable livelihoods of fishers in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria A. I. Hart · P. Isubikalu · G. W. Komi The Giant Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon) is the largest marine shrimp that has lived in the Niger Delta coastal waters since 1999. Its marketability and high income as compared to the indigenous shrimp species has attracted a growing number… RUF-34248 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Deploying interactive on-line networking platform for improving quality and relevance of African University graduates to labour markets B.O. Bebe · J. Kihoro · N. Kimbugwe · D. Nodumo +1 more African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face criticisms of producing low performing graduates unable to drive the agricultural innovation processes to revitalise agriculture, boost economic recovery, and accelerate achievement of the … RUF-34225 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of quality and affordable fish feed for small scale fish farmers in Malawi A. Kamangira · J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · V. Kasulo +5 more The project aims at contributing to increased fish production in rural communities of Mpamba in Nkhatabay district of Malawi. The aim is being achieved through developing quality affordable feed from locally available ingredients, evaluati… RUF-34191 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selection for multiple disease resistance in bush snap bean lines developed in Kenya P. M. Kimani · M. M. Mulanya · R.D. Narla Production of snap beans (French beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya is severely constrained by diseases. Use of fungicides increases cost of production, reduces profitability and competitiveness of snap bean in domestic and export mark… RUF-34035 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Role of Universities in development of improved crop varieties, seed production, dissemination and impacts: Case studies of dry, canning, snap and runner beans, pigeonpea and onions P. M. Kimani Mandates of universities in east, central and southern Africa have considerably changed from their traditional teaching and research roles, to greater active involvement in the development agenda of their countries, a phenomenon referred t… RUF-34029 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access A comparative evaluation of maturity indices of mango fruits produced in two contrasting agro-ecological zones of Kenya J. Ambuko · M. Hutchinson · J. Njuguna · L. Ouma +2 more Harvesting mango (Mangifera indica) fruits at the right stage for the destination market and use requires reliable maturity indices. There are various indices that are used to determine harvest maturity for mango fruits. However, differenc… RUF-34021 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Dry season performance of new chili pepper varieties in Mali Traoré. Adama Perry · M. Famanta · E. Mitcham · P. Nadou Sanogo +1 more Among the three species of pepper (Capsicum sp.) grown in West Africa, Capsicum chinense and C. frutescens are the most popular in Mali; C. annuum being hardly known to consumers. However, the latter is the easiest to grow, harvest, and pr… RUF-33937 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens (Diptera:Tephritidae) in Mozambique D. Cugala · M. De Meyer · L. Jose · L. Santos Fruit flies are among the most important pests of fruits and vegetables in the world. The invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens (Diptera:Tephritidae) was first detected in Africa in 2003 in Kenya, has spread to at least 27 countries attac… RUF-33931 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Towards resilient and profitable family farming systems in Central Mozambique M. Hauser · F. Mazuze · J Onofre Rainde · D. Rodriguez +3 more This research improves our understanding of diversity across Mozambique’s family farming systems in terms of local agro-ecological potentials, existing market opportunities and production objectives as well as the household level resource … RUF-33930 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
