Working Document Series Open Access Key challenges and issues facing African Universities: A case study of selected African Universities E. Adipala · R. Batte · F. Judith · Washington Ochola +1 more This study assessed the “health” of seven universities in eastern, central and southern Africa with respect to agricultural training and skill enhancement opportunities, appropriateness of curricula, staffing and access to learning resourc… RUF-35259 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Food security and plant biotechnology applications in Africa A. Kasem Zaki Africa is, paradoxically, a continent rich in resources, and yet, lacking and lagging in overall development. African Agriculture in facing great challenges. Accordingly, African countries have developed policies aimed at transforming agri… RUF-35210 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Use of information and communication technology in the dissemination of agricultural information in Public Agricultural Research Institutes in Uganda J. Githeko · M. Ugen · M. Yiga The objective of this study is to identify and analyse challenge of use of Information Communication Technologies by public agricultural research institutes. It involves questionnaire interviews with 328 respondents and use of secondary in… RUF-35192 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Information dissemination pathway preferences and needs of commercial urban farmers in Kampala, Uganda L. Mulumba · G. Obati · F. Ssegujja The study mapped and characterized the spatial location of households that practice urban agriculture, assessed and documented the information needs of farmers, developed Geospatial database for the households identified, documented the ef… RUF-35190 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The analysis of agricultural policies in Malawi: The maize political economy K. Droppelmann · A.K. Edriss · H. Phiri The choices of the maize policies are political decisions made by elected officials in the political arena, yet it affects the overall maize industry. This study will model how decision are made in the political arena and how such decision… RUF-35177 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of a framework to assess completeness of Disaster Recovery Plans in RUFORUM Universities J. E. Apio · M. Bagaya · N.T. Rwangoga In Universities and other institutions, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) is critical for today’s learning, research, business profiling and institutional management. However, sustainability of systems in place depends greatly… RUF-35149 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
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 Identifying indigenous knowledge and effective communication systems for adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers of Kilifi District, Kenya G.A. Achiando · R. Birech · Washington Ochola This study investigated the influence of incorporating feedback from agricultural information users in agricultural communication systems and identified coping strategies for adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers of Kenya. Fo… RUF-35141 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of postharvest handling and 1-MCP treatment on the quality and shelf life of tomato A. Mutari An experiment was conducted to assess effect of phyticcal impact and storage temperature on ethylene production. There was no significant effect of physical handling on ethylene production, but there was more ethylene production at higher … RUF-35138 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Strategic repositioning of African indigenous vegetables in the Horticulture Sector M.O. Abukutsa-Onyango African indigenous vegetables that formed an integral part of African diets lost popularity with introduction of exotic crops including vegetables. With over half the populace living below the poverty line, there is need for paradigm shift… RUF-35134 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Economic benefits associated with restoration of fish stocks of Lake Malombe in Malawi V. Kasulo · E. Kaunda · George Matiya · W. Singini This paper provides an overview of the research to be conducted in Lake Malombe in Malawi. The changes that have taken place in Lake Malombe fishery have had major social and economic consequences on communities around the lake. In Malawi,… RUF-35081 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characterisation of wild and cultured Oreochromis shiranus in Malawi I. Changadeya & Kosgey · D. Kassam · C.S. Lewuantai · A. Maluwa Oreochromis shiranus is a Malawi indigenous tilapia fish species. The aim of the study is to characterise the species phenotypically and genotypically within and between wild strains, unimproved and improved cultured strains. Phenotypic ch… RUF-35039 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 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 Feedlot performance of dorper wether lambs fed Opuntia-based diets with different nitrogen sources H.O. de Waal · J. Els · L. Schwalbach · K.L. Shiningavamwe The performance and carcass characteristics of 45 Dorper wether lambs fed Opuntia-based diets with different nitrogen (N) sources were evaluated in the feedlot. Lambs were weighed weekly to determine the ADG and slaughtered when they reach… RUF-34951 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access What is the effect of management interventions package on productivity of indigenous chicken in Western Kenya? B.O. Bebe · J. Ochieng · G. Owuor This study examined different management packages for improving indigenous chicken productivity in Kenya. The management interventions package comprised feed supplementation, housing, chick rearing, brooding and vaccination study. Farmers … RUF-34944 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Technology adoption by smallholder farmers: Lessons from the soyabean research/promotion program in Zimbabwe S. Mpepereki Agricultural research programs in universities in sub-Saharan Africa generate technologies few of which are adopted by the smallholder farmers. A technology that demands significant additional inputs be they financial or physical is less l… RUF-34943 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 Prominence of goat milk consumption and determinants of attitudes towards the milk in five agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe P.T. Banda · S. Mpofu · D.M. Pfukenyi This study determined the prominence and determinants of attitudes towards goat milk consumption in agro-ecological zones I to V of Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 545 households and analyzed using SPSS. Generally, milk was consumed at … RUF-34928 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 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 Risk factors and socio-economic effects associated with spread of Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana district, Kenya L.C. Bebora · A. N. Gitau · S.M. Kihu · J.M. Njenga +1 more Peste des petit ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious, infectious and often fatal disease of sheep, goats and small wild ruminants. In Kenya PPR was first suspected in 1992 and confirmed in Turkana District in 2007. Turkana community live… RUF-34838 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determinants of fast-food consumption in Kampala, Uganda A. S. Ayo · J. Bonabana-Wabbi · D. Sserunkuuma Consumption of fast-foods in Uganda is becoming an increasingly important component of the food market as high income and busier consumers choose to dine out rather than prepare meals at home. Despite the importance of the fastfoods sector… RUF-34822 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Accounting records management and performance of small scale businesses M. Akello · J. E. Apio Records management is important for organizational growth and survival. It enhances decision making, accountability and staff performance. Although organizations keep records, not all these records are well documented and stored to facilit… RUF-34818 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
