Working Document Series Open Access Integrating indigenous and scientific soil quality indicators for improved crop production F. Bagoora · M. B. Karuhanga · M. M. Tenywa · J. S. Tumuhairwe Research has improved understanding of technical indicators of soil quality (TISQ) and their assessment criteria. Yet knowledge on farmer-perceived indicators of soil quality remains limited. The study intends to establish and validate ind… RUF-35046 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Translating integrated soil fertility management knowledge into livelihood benefits through farmer learning and participatory action in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · T. Gwandu · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe Smallholder agriculture production is constrained by poor technology adoption often linked to lack information dissemination strategies, among other factors. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of participatory information mana… RUF-35042 2015 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Willingness to pay for sound waste management in urban and peri-urban areas of the Lake Victoria crescent region Uganda L. Drake · W. Ekere · J. Mugisha Waste management constitutes one of the most crucial health and environmental problems facing local governments in Uganda. In the Lake Victoria crescent region, Kampala residents generate over 1,500 tons of waste per day. However, only a s… RUF-35041 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil properties effects and management of organic residues to improve C sequestration, reduce N losses and improve crop yields B.O. Danga · Z. Getenga · B. Mochoge · J. Mugwe Rates of decomposition of organic materials in soil determine the amount of carbon (C) which is mineralized and released as CO2 versus the amount of C that is retained in various forms in the soil. Decomposition rates also greatly influenc… RUF-35037 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Economic viability of biogas energy production from family-sized digesters in Uganda D. Lars · J. Mugisha · P. N. Walekhwa Biogas energy is being evaluated to augment traditional energy sources in Uganda. However, its development remains rudimentary partly because of the lack of information regarding its economic viability. Based on primary data on households … RUF-35016 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Livelihood diversification and enhanced food security through agro-pastoralism: Socio-cultural and other challenges among Maasai pastoralists of Narok North district of Kenya N. J. Kathuri · J. G. Mwangi · A. O. Nkurumwa The Maasai of Narok North District Kenya have started adopting agro-pastoralism as a livelihood diversification strategy. This study sought to determine the socio-cultural challenges faced in agro-pastoralism and the relationships between … RUF-34994 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Estimation of consumer preferences for cowpea in Uganda T.S. Hyuha · J. Mundua · B. Tayebwa This study conducted in eastern Uganda, assessed consumer and market vendors preferances for different cowpea varieties grown in Uganda. Both consumers and market vendors prefered large white seeded grains. The study recommends adding valu… RUF-34983 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmers’ perceptions of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes as a food security crop in central and eastern Uganda P. Isubikalu · R. Mukebezi · R. O. M. Mwanga · B. Orum A descriptive study was conducted to ascertain the perception of farmers in eastern and central Uganda on Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) as a food security crop. Major findings indicated that although OFSP and local sweet potato variet… RUF-34975 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 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 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 Household objectives and achievement levels among Uganda’s hot pepper, french beans and okra crops farmers S. Lwasa · J. Mugisha · D. Sserunkuuma Ugandan farmers are increasingly adopting perceived High Value Crops (HVCs) including Chillies (Capsicum annum), French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). This is aimed at addressing priority household objective… RUF-34929 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 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 productivity and technical efficiency of conservation agriculture in Malawi: A case of Nkhotakota district K. Droppelmann · Abdi-Khalil Edriss · B. Kakhobwe · H.R. Mloza-Banda +1 more Maize productivity, measured as the amount of output for a given input set, is lower than it could be in Malawi due to poor access to agricultural inputs and environmental depletion especially declining soil fertility. Malawi is promoting … RUF-34914 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysing the agricultural science and technology innovation systems: A case study of the banana sub-sector in Uganda Margaret Kabahenda · M. Kapiriri Bananas are an important staple food crop and livelihood base for about 16 million people in Uganda. Its survival over the years can be traced to key factors and actors, who through learning, adjusting and innovations have sustained banana… RUF-34864 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 Assessment of changes in natural resources: A participatory approach M. W. Baaru · C.K.K. Gachene · V. Gathaara · J. P. Mbuvi +1 more This study analyzed changes in natural resources in Machakos District of Kenya using participatory approaches. The results show that natural resources have decreased since the ranch became a settlement scheme. Natural forests decreased, va… RUF-34824 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Producer and consumer preferences for maize and sorghum quality characteristics in Uganda R. Ajambo · B. Bashaasha · G. Elepu · P. Okori Maize and sorghum are important staple food crops in Uganda and are emerging cash crops. Despite release of several improved varieties of maize and sorghum, adoption rates among farmers remain low. This is due to breeding programmes ignori… RUF-34809 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the impact of climate change and climate variability on agricultural productivity in selected climatological zones of Uganda: An overview Y. Bamutaze · M. Nabasirye · M. M. Nsengiyunva · C.A. Shisanya +1 more Climate change and climate variability are a major threat to livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The IPCC report of 2007 indicates that SSA is the most vulnerable region to climate change and climate variability due to the weak econom… RUF-34794 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 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 Assessment of spatio-temporal redistribution of major crops and livestock mobility due to climate change and variability in Uganda L. Aribo · P. Isubikalu · E. Komutunga · J.G.M. Majaliwa +4 more Considering how climate will change over the years offer important insight into how the challenges as result of climate change (CC) and variability can be responded to. Modeling and descriptive studies are being conducted in Uganda to gene… RUF-34775 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Production of disease-free papaya planting materials of known sex for commercial fruit production A.W. Kihurani · M. Mwaniki · M.M. Waiganjo · F.K.R. Wanzala Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a medium sized fruit crop with a potential to produce fruits throughout the year. The ripe fruits, which are very rich in vitamins A and C, are popularly used for dessert or processed into jam or wine. Due to i… RUF-34756 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of Chilli pepper genotypes for yield and reaction to field diseases V. Nsabiyera · M. Ochwo-Ssemakula · P. Sseruwagi The performance of 25 chilli (16 exotic and 9 local) genotypes for yield and associated traits and reaction to field diseases was assessed at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)- Namulonge from June-November, 2009. Tot… RUF-34753 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of cowpea leaf harvesting initiation time on yields and profitability of dual-purpose sole cowpea and cowpea-maize intercrop J.N. Aguyoh · F. M. Itulya · S. Mwanarusi · G. Owour Dual-purpose cowpea production is a common component of many tropical and sub tropical subsistence farming systems. However, limited information exists on effects of leaf harvesting initiation time on yields and profitability of dual-purpo… RUF-34752 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015