Working Document Series Open Access Breaking out of poverty through enhanced scientific networking in Africa: The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture E. Adipala · M. Blackie This paper considers the issue of the need for cohesion between research and policy to achieve development impact. It draws heavily on practical experience. The programme has evolved from an earlier Rockefeller Foundation university develo… RUF-35245 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing graduate training and agricultural research in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa: Lessons and new thrusts M. Blackie · Paul Woomer This paper was commissioned by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), an association of 25 Universities engaged in natural resource management in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa to explore oppo… RUF-35244 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Diallel analysis of root dry matter content in sweetpotato R. Edema · P. Gibson · R. O. M. Mwanga · D. Shumbusha +1 more There has been much emphasis on breeding for increased sweetpotato storage root yields, but less on the dry matter yield, and its inheritance. High dry matter content (DMC) is associated with consumer preferences, and is important for proc… RUF-35241 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Participatory selection and development of drought tolerant cassava varieties for farmers in marginal areas Y. Baguma · E. Balyejusa-Kizito · J. Bisikwa · D.S.O. Osiru +1 more Most breeding experiments suffer from the disadvantage that the major stakeholders are not involved in the selection and development of the varieties. This scenario leads to poor adoption and diffusion of the resulting technologies. Partic… RUF-35240 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determination of genetic structure of germplasm collections: Are traditional hierarchical clustering methods appropriate for genetic marker data? J. Jansen · T.L. Odong · F.A. van Eeuwijk · J. van Heerwaarden +1 more We studied the performance of traditional hierarchical clustering techniques using molecular marker data. In this study, we showed that the cophenetic correlation coefficient is directly related to subgroup differentiation and can thus be … RUF-35236 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of plant nutrient efficient use sorghum varieties to support livelihood strategies of East African farmers S. Gudu · P. Okori Seventy five percent of the over 100 million people in Eastern and Central Africa region live in marginal areas and are dependent on agriculture. Agricultural productivity in those areas is mainly low resource based and suffer especially f… RUF-35233 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access S1 and S2 selection of Longe 4 maize variety for tolerance to low soil nitrogen in Uganda G. Asea · R. Edema · P. Gibson · P. Namugga Low nitrogen is a major environmental stress leading to low yields in maize. Identification of varieties able to perform well under low soil N is of great significance to the resource poor farmers in the country especially when input costs… RUF-35227 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic diversity in maize landraces for resistance to Chilo partellus in Kenya P. Gibson · S.N. Mugo · S.W. Munyiri · J.K. Mwololo +2 more Yield losses in maize associated with stem borer damage is estimated at 13% annually in Kenya. New sources of resistance to stem borers are needed to develop germplasm for the diverse maize growing ecologies. This study was conducted to es… RUF-35223 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic variability of soybean for yield and yield components under irrigation conditions of Gezira, Sudan Yousif Balla. Mohamed · I. Seifeldin Elrayah A field experiment was conducted to study the genetic variability among 21 soybean verities at the Gezira Research Station Farm, Sudan for two successive seasons in 2009 and 2010. Six traits were studied including grain yield/ha, days to 5… RUF-35217 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparison of selection indices for drought tolerance in common beans for the dry environments of Tanzania N. Lwiyiso Kilasi · M. Mwala · S. Nchimbi-Msolla This study assessed yield performance of common bean genotypes under different levels of drought stress (waster stress periods). Subsequently, drought susceptibility index (DSI), sensitivity index (SI) and drought intensity index (DII) wer… RUF-35211 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of resistance to maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) in maize inbred lines and determination of their heterotic groups G. Asea · M.K. Gafishi · J.K. Tumutegyereize Maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) is a pest of maize causing serious losses to resource-poor farmers in the tropics. To combine resistance to Maize Weevil with high yield in maize, 52 inbred lines reported to harbor resistance … RUF-35203 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determination of crop coefficient of local barley cultivar in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia using drums Alemie Araya · Fantahun. Sisay Barley is a major staple food crop in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. The crop is used for preparing various types of traditional foods. Barley yield over the northern Ethiopia is severely affected mainly due to water stress. To minimi… RUF-35202 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Access and utilization of agro-meteorological information: A case study of small holder irrigation farmers in Kenya E.K. Maranga · G.O. Obati · W. Zendera Weather and climate are one of the major production risks and uncertainties impacting on agricultural systems performance and management. A study was conducted in Lari Wendani irrigation scheme, Nakuru North District, and Perkerra irrigati… RUF-35196 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 An analysis of language use and content in communicating agricultural technologies to farmers in Ethiopia J.O. Ogola · Manaye Alehegn. Simachew · D.J. Spielman Since research findings often do not have direct or immediate relevance to farmers, extension workers are often called upon to develop ways to communicate and disseminate these findings to farmers. Two of the main problems limiting the eff… RUF-35183 2010 CC BY 4.0 17 Sep 2015
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
