Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of multipurpose uses and management of Zizphus spina-christi (L.) desf. in semi-arid Ethiopia: Implications for food security Feyssa Debela Hunde · J.T. Njoka · M.M. Nyangito · Asfaw Zemede Quantitative ethnobotanical study of Ziziphus spina-christi was undertaken in six areas of east Shewa, Ethiopia. Both structured questionnaire and focus-group interviews were conducted with about 200 households. Arable land cultivation, an… RUF-34380 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of chicken and cattle manure on wheat production and soil properties in the high terrace and Karu soils in River Nile State in the Sudan Hassan Khalid Ali · Ali Alkhazin Ali Yousif This study was conducted at Hudeiba Research farm on karu and high terrace soils for two consecutive seasons (2008/09 and 2009/10). Organic manures are traditionally used for supplying plant nutrients. Eight different fertilizer combinatio… RUF-34343 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Trend in climate variation in Karamoja Sub-region, northern eastern Uganda D. Aleper · A. Egeru · L. MacOpiyo · M.G.J. Majaliwa +1 more This study focused at determining the spatial and temporal rainfall and temperature characteristics in Karamoja with a view of establishing the intensity of climate variability. The study utilized historical data (1947-1976) and NOAA reana… RUF-34237 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Nutritive value of selected indigenous legumes for livestock feed in Namibia N. Hembapu · A. Kahumba · E. Lutaaya · I. Mpofu +1 more The study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional characteristics of five indigenous legumes compared against Lucerne as potential livestock fodder. Samples of the five legumes (Indigofera cryptantha, Rhynchosia totta, Medicago laciniata… RUF-34205 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing transitory poverty among pastoralists of northern kenya using the stages of progress method W. Kogi-Makau · L. MacOpiyo · J.T. Njoka · W. P. Watete Assessment of poverty among pastoral households using conventional methods may at times give an inaccurate picture of pastoral poverty. Pastoral areas generally fare very poorly in terms of common standard indicators and are thus likely to… RUF-34201 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small scale farmers in Western Kenya H. Affognon · J. Nalunkuuma · F. K. Njonge · D. Salifu The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the zero grazing practice on milk production by the small-scale farmers’ in western Kenya. A cross sectional survey was undertaken on 520 livestock farmers from Kisii and Bungoma counties… RUF-34166 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The status of indegnous chicken production in northern Uganda A. Kayitesi · D.R. Kugonza · H. Mulindwa · C. Nakkazi +1 more Indegnous chicken production is important for many rural households. Although it is a small and sometimes unorganized sector, it makes a substantial contribution to food security by providing eggs and meat for home consumption and, to some… RUF-34162 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of local dairy goat feed resources in Kongwa district, Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · T. Damas Msaki · D.M. Komwihangilo · E.E. Ndemanisho Decrease in quantity and quality of pastures during the dry season in Kongwa District has resulted into reduced milk production from the improved dairy goat breeds in the area. Available indigenous leguminous tree and shrub leaves can supp… RUF-34154 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Identifying conditions for phytase enzyme adaption in African catfish feeds H. Kasigwa · C. Kemigabo · C. Masembe · D. Sikawa This research was conducted to establish and streamline conditions and optimum amount of phytase enzyme required for its adoption for improved digestibility of plant based catfish feeds. This started with analysis of pH along African catfi… RUF-34149 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparative study on kits used for diagnosis of Brucellosis in humans L. Bebora · P. Kinyanjui · L. Waiboci · N. Waringa Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genera Brucella. Brucellosis is mainly a disease of livestock infecting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and marine mammals. In humans, the disease is acquired directl… RUF-34141 2014 CC BY 4.0 13 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farming characteristics in urban districts of Nairobi county - Kenya A.W. Kihurani · P.W. Masinde · J.B. Mukundi · J. N. Njenga Urban farming practitioners face challenges like lack of quality irrigation water, poorly decomposed manure, diverse inputs of unknown sources, unhealthy farm environment and abject poverty. All these contribute to production of unsafe foo… RUF-34041 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Estimating prevalence of brucellosis in livestock and assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of respective communities in baringo county, Kenya L.C. Bebora · S. Kiambi · P. Kitala · P.K. Kosgei +1 more Brucellosis is an infectious, contagious and important zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of genus Brucella. World Health Organization considers brucellosis the most spread zoonosis in the world. Brucellosis has been documented to be high… RUF-34003 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Local chicken production in northern Uganda: Breeding practices and flock productivity A. Kayitesi · D.R. Kugonza · H. Mulindwa · C. Nakkazi +1 more In Uganda, the local chicken population is estimated at 44 million and these chickens play an integral role in the smallholder farming systems. Contribution of local chicken in rural household economies is mainly limited by its low output … RUF-33992 2014 CC BY 4.0 12 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 The effects of climate variability on Prosopis juliflora spread, vegetation trends and livestock dynamics in the drylands of Kenya J. Kinama · R. Kyuma · R.G. Wahome · V.O. Wasonga The effects of climate variability and Prosopis juliflora invasion on pastoral livestock production and pastoral livelihoods have not been assessed. A study was conducted to determine the effect of climate variability and Prosopis juliflor… RUF-33891 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Dynamics of land use and land cover change in semi-arid Karamoja sub-region, Uganda A. Egeru · L. MacOpiyo · M.G.J. Majaliwa · J. Mburu +1 more There is limited information on the patterns of land use and land cover changes taking place in the semi-arid ecosystem of Karamoja, a key livestock producing sub-region of Uganda. Thus, this study was designed to determine the pattern and… RUF-33872 2014 CC BY 4.0 11 Aug 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access The role of in-kind credit on milk productivity among smallholder dairy farmers in Malawi: a case study of Lilongwe and Mzuzu milkshed areas Sylvia Chindime A study on the role of credit on milk productivity among credit participant and non credit participant dairy farmers in Malawi was conducted in Lilongwe milk shed area, Central Malawi and Mzuzu milk shed area, Northern Malawi. The milk-she… RUF-33767 2008 CC BY 4.0 14 Jul 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access The role of credit in the adoption and use of improved dairy technologies in Malawi: a case of central and northern milk shed areas H. Phiri Dairy farming is seen as potential profitable enterprise for smallholder farmers in Malawi. However, this enterprise is currently characterised by low productivity due to poor feeding, inter alia. To bolster adoption and use of improved fe… RUF-33766 2007 CC BY 4.0 14 Jul 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Evaluation of organic agriculture practices and resources use as adaptation to climate change: the case of Sofi District, Harari Regional State, Ethiopia H. T. M. Ibrahim The negative impact of climate change has been striking the agricultural sector in Africa. For countries like Ethiopia, whose livelihood occupation of the nation is mainly based on subsistence agriculture that highly rely on rainfall, maki… RUF-33759 2015 CC BY 4.0 9 Jul 2015
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Analysis of factors influencing women’s decision to adapt to climate change: the case of rural women in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia M. A. A. Osman Climate change poses a great threat to human security through erratic rainfall patterns and decreasing crop yields, contributing to increased hunger. Adaptation is considered an appropriate response to climate change, especially for women … RUF-33755 2015 CC BY 4.0 9 Jul 2015
Case Studies Open Access Getting the Green Revolution Megan Lindow RUF-33625 2012 CC BY 4.0 15 Mar 2015
Case Studies Open Access The Impact of Graduate Research Grants: Examples from Bostwana Megan Lindow RUF-33622 2014 CC BY 4.0 14 Mar 2015
Technical reports Open Access Case studies on RUFORUM Regional PhD Programmes Rose Njeru Since 2008, RUFORUM has launched seven regional coursework based PhD programs which are hosted at different member universities. RUFORUM engaged a consultant to conduct case studies of five programs namely, PhD Dryland Resource Management … RUF-33591 2014 CC BY 4.0 19 Feb 2015
Newsletters Open Access RUFORUM@10: Working against career advancement barriers RUF-33312 2014 CC BY 4.0 21 Jul 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Roles of Agricultural Universities in Extension of S&T Achievements and Transformation of Agricultural Development Patterns: A Case Study in Henan, China H.E. Dexian Taking Henan Agricultural University (HAU) as an example, the paper discusses roles of Chinese agricultural universities in extension of S&T achievements and transformation of agricultural development patterns in China. In the first ha… RUF-33108 2012 CC BY 4.0 21 May 2014