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 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 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 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 Assessing farmers’ knowledge in the evaluation of soil quality M. Karuhanga · K. Senkosi · J.S. Tenywa Farmers across Uganda have developed their own indicators of soil quality but their mechanisms, reliability and sensitivity have not yet been examined. Therefore, this research is intended to address these gaps. Specific objectives include… RUF-35117 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Soil biodiversity research in Uganda: Gains, consolidation and capacity needs A. Akol · B. Isabirye · M. Isabirye · G. Mutumba +4 more We examined abundance and diversity of rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, nematodes, collembolan, termites, earthworms, ants and beetles in forest, grassland, mixed cropping, fallow, sugar and tea plantation; encompassing Mabira forest… RUF-35116 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluating the effects of conservation agriculture and related technologies on soil biodiversity, crop and labour productivity in semi-arid Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · E. N. Mutsamba · I. Nyagumbo This on-going study is examining the linkage between termite prevalence and residue amount under conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe. Preliminary results show that convectional ploughing had lowest termite abundance while tied ridging inc… RUF-35098 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 Effects of integrated water and nutrient management technologies on crop and labour productivity in Zimbabwe L. Mhaka · I. Nyagumbo Poor soils, erratic rainfall, frequent dry spells have been cited as the major threats to the development agricultural in Southern Africa. This experiment was designed to evaluate the benefits derived from post planting tied ridging, conse… RUF-35088 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
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of agricultural commercial products (microbial and non microbial) in relation to maize and soybean yields in western Kenya M. Mburu · J.R. Okalebo · C.O. Othieno This study was undertaken to assess the effect of different inoculants on nodule formation and legume yield. On farm experiments were carried out in Bungoma district of western Kenya with treatments arranged in RCBD design with single repl… RUF-35080 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Influence of soil fertility management on Striga seed bank dynamics and grain yield of sorghum in semi arid areas G. Chemining’wa · A. Kudra · R.N. Onwonga · K.P. Sibuga The parasitic weed Striga poses a serious threat to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. Infestation usually results in significant yield losses, quite often over 70%. Many control options have been reported but, the effect of soil fer… RUF-35067 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Value chain analysis of Lake Chilwa fisheries in Malawi M. Hara · George Matiya · L.Y. Phiri The research will analyze value chain of Barbus paludinosus and Oreochromis shiranus chilwae from Lake Chilwa in Malawi. It will examine problems of asymmetric bargaining power in fish sales and information flow on the distribution of bene… RUF-35064 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Factors influencing the price of fish in central Malawi and its implications on the development of aquaculture George Matiya · Wakabayashi. Yoshikazu A study to investigate factors that influence prices of fish was conducted in Lilongwe, Salima, Kasungu and Mchinji districts of the Central Region of Malawi. Market type, form of preservation, species type, length of fish, weight of fish,… RUF-35057 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Fisheries and aquaculture adaptation and conservation strategies in Uganda’s changing climate K. Angura · C. Masembe · V. Muwanika Climate change has modified the distribution and productivity of many organisms including freshwater species. It has also affected biological processes with eventual alterations in the food webs. Fishers and fish farmers will bear the full… RUF-35055 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of pond plastic sheeting on water temperature and improved growth of fish in Dowa, Malawi L. Banda · E. Kaunda · P. Longwe · M. Matsimbe +2 more Temperature is one of the limiting constraints to increasing fish production in areas where temperatures are below 25oC. In most areas in Malawi temperatures are between 14 - 24oC (www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/malawi.htm), with the e… RUF-35052 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of dietary protein, lipid and androgen (11 - ketotestosterone) levels on the progeny of Oreochromis andersonii (castelnau, 1861) broodstock J. Kang’ombe · D. Kassam · Alexander Shula Kefi The study on the effect of dietary protein, lipid and 11 – Ketotestosterone (11 – KT) levels on the progeny quality of Oreochromis andersonii broodstock will be conducted at National Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, Kitwe, Zamb… RUF-35051 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
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 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 Enhancing fish production and marketing for food security and rural incomes of small-scale producers in Malawi J. Banda · B. Chirwa · T. Chitsulo · D. Jamu +6 more Low fish production continues to be persistent problem among small scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. An action research using the value chain approach that links university and other actors to the farmers will guide implementation of th… RUF-35024 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Financial viability and acceptability of specific packages of dairy production and marketing innovations in Wedza, Zimbabwe R. T. Mano · N. T. Ngongoni · P. I. Zvinorova Low viability indicators and high operating ratios indicated poor viability in the smallholder sector, with the exception of rich farmers. Variations in gross margins were associated with heterogeneity of farmers in resource endowments, al… RUF-35021 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Quality and risk assessment of safety hazards in fresh fish and fish products in Malawi J. Kang’ombe · F. Kapute · C. Kiiyukia · J.S. Likongwe +1 more Food quality and safety issues are becoming a major concern globally due to increased and widespread emerging risks related to food borne illnesses. Countries around the world are creating food safety agencies in compliance with national a… RUF-35018 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
