Working Document Series Open Access Assessing usage of Web 2.0 Tools in disseminating climate information and services in National Agricultural Systems of Eastern Africa B.O. Bebe · G.O. Opile · S.O. Oseni Without deliberate attention, the vulnerability to climate change and variability in the sub-Saharan Africa and particularly Eastern Africa region will be severe in terms of food and income insecurity, worsened human and livestock health a… RUF-35176 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Population increase and socio-economic changes in a pastoral society: The case of the Turkana, Kakuma division, Kenya W.N. Ekaya · M. Okoti We studied the impact of settlement on socio-economic patterns and environment quality among the Turkana pastoral communities in Kenya. We used open-ended and close-ended questionnaire and focus group discussion. The majority of the people… RUF-35172 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
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 Information access and preference for delivery pathways by peri-urban and rural smallholder dairy farmers in Central Kenya J. Matofari · D.K. Mbugua · M. Ngigi This study investigated access to information and preferences in delivery pathways for smallholder dairy farmers in two divisions in Central Kenya. The study used a cross-sectional survey design using systematic sampling procedure where 34… RUF-35169 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 Attracting women into agricultural education: Constraints and best practice Martin. Adrienne · Forsythe. Lora · M. Najjingo Mangheni The study focuses on women’s participation in higher agricultural education in four African countries. Barriers begin at secondary school where girls are less likely to take natural sciences, and negative perceptions of agriculture prevent… RUF-35164 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 Evaluation of constraints in use of electronic agricultural information resources at selected institutions of Higher Learning in Kenya N.J. Kamar · G. Owour · M. Tabu This study aims at identifying the constraints in use of agricultural electronic resources in academic institutions and their contributions to development in agriculture. Limited access to agricultural e-resources has led to poor research … RUF-35156 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Empowering primary school children to produce food to mitigate short-term hunger through school gardening: The case of Universal primary schools in Kamuli and Soroti Districts, Uganda S. Apolot · P. Kibwika · F. Kyazze · D. Loga Short-term hunger caused by inability of parents to pay for or pack lunch for their children threatens success of Universal Primary Education in Uganda. School gardening if properly introduced offers a sustainable solution that empowers th… RUF-35155 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 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 Variation in micronutrient content of orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties grown in different environments M.S. Mwala · G.I. Serenje Field experiments were conducted at three locations in Zambia to characterize 15 sweetpotato varieties for tuber yield and micro-nutrient content. Location and variety had significant effect on tuber yield. Marketable yield ranged from 5.2… RUF-35139 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 Soil micronutrient supply and grain quality for human nutrition in selected parts of Morogoro, Tanzania M.L.E. Imakumbili · J.M.R. Semoka · E Semu Soils worldwide have become depleted of micronutrients. This has resulted in an increase in micronutrient deficiency diseases for people consuming micronutrient poor foods as a sole source of nutrition. This study was carried out to determ… RUF-35135 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 Evaluation and selection of drought and pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) tolerant chickpea genotypes for introduction in semi-arid areas of Kenya P.K. Kimurto · R.M.S. Mulwa · B.K. Towett This study evaluated 289 chickpea lines for drought tolerance, and 30 for pest resistance. Several promising genotypes have been identified (ICC 2580, ICC 7272, ICCV 92311, ICC 3362, ICCV 95311, ICC 506, EC 583311, ICCVX 906183-1), and the… RUF-35126 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Cross-mating and oviposition behaviour between strains of Cotesia sesamiae cameron (hymenoptera: braconidae) from Kitale, Mombasa and Mount Kenya & Fritz Schulthess Bruno Le Ru · E.W. Kairu · J.N. Mugambi Stemborers cause 50% yield losses in cereal crops. In Kenya Cotesia sesamiae is one of the parasitoids that has been studied in regard to the control of stemborer pests. In this study the reproductive compatibility of three populations of … RUF-35125 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Seed-borne viruses detected on farm-retained seeds from smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh and Vietnam W. Manyangarirwa · C.N. Mortensen · J. Sibiya The smallholder farming sector in much of the developing world relies on the use of farm-retained seed. The availability of good quality disease free seed is important in enhancing food security but seed-borne viruses can be a major proble… RUF-35119 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development, promotion and dissemination of improved Fusarium wilt resistant pigeon pea lines in drought prone areas of Uganda T. Areke · R. Edema · C. Mukankusi · N. S. Said Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) remains a relatively untapped food legume crop in Uganda and in many parts of Africa mainly due to lack of promotion and availability of varieties that meet producer and consumers needs. The crop is a rich source… RUF-35110 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Feeding, reproductive biology and aquaculture potential of Clarias liocephalus in the wetlands of south western Uganda L. Chapman · J. Kang’ombe · J. Rutaisire · J. Yatuha Clarias liocephalus is a data-deficient air breathing cat fish in wetlands of Western Uganda. It is highly demanded as live bait in Nile perch fishery of Lake Victoria and as food by local communities. Because of high demand, smaller sizes… RUF-35094 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Hatchery system evaluation and adaptation for the production of Oreochromis karongae (Trewavas, 1941) fingerlings D. Kassam · J.S. Likongwe · George Matiya · J.S. Valeta In Malawi development of aquaculture is constrained by, among other factors, lack of good quality seed. Through Research into Use (RiU) the Government of Malawi has mandated a few fish hatcheries, of which the most prominent is the Commerc… RUF-35091 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Nitrogen dynamics and removal by algal turf scrubber under high ammonia and organic matter loading in a recirculating aquaculture system J.S. Valeta · M.C.M. Verdegem High total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations were introduced to an Algal Turf Scrubber developed under loadings of Clarius gariepinus recirculating aquaculture system effluent to determine its potential and dynamics of TAN removal. TAN… RUF-35087 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of least cost formulated feed for Tilapia rendalli in tank based grow- out culture system J. Kang’ombe · T. Soko An experiment was conducted at Bunda fish farm from November 2009 to February 2010. Juveniles of Tillapia rendalli of average weight 9.5 ± SD 0.5g were stocked in outdoor concrete tanks and fed on diets of different plant protein sources f… RUF-35086 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving soil hydrological properties of denuded semi-arid rangeland in southeastern Kenya using reseeding technology W.N. Ekaya · K.Z. Mganga · N.K.R. Musimba · A. W. Mwang’ombe +2 more A study was conducted to establish the contribution of Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus and Cenchrus ciliaris in improving soil hydrological properties in semi-arid Kenya. Kamphorst rainfall simulator was used on bare ground a… RUF-35085 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
