Working Document Series Open Access Climate variability: Pastoralists’ perception, practices and enhancing adaptive pasture use for food security in Choma District, Southern Zambia O. C. Chibinga · N. M. Musimba · M. Nyangito · J. Simbaya Pastoralists have managed their production system for many centuries and have had detailed knowledge of the biodiversity and environment of their grazing lands. Feeding of livestock is though still a major challenge to sustainable producti… RUF-34769 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Monitoring vegetation phenological stages using remote sensing data for pasture management in arid and semi-Arid lands of Kenya M. K. Ambani · C. B. Lukorito · G. O. Ouma The objective of this study was to monitor grassland phenological stages in selected arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya, so as to provide information useful in pasture management. Five years of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index… RUF-34760 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land and its utilisation in southeast Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali Since the attainment of national independence in 1980 land distribution has dominated if not defined the agrarian debate in Zimbabwe. However, evidence of increasing hectarage of fallow land in communal lands, where 70% of the population r… RUF-34748 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing village chicken productivity through parasite management for effective newcastle disease vaccination in Kenya L.C. Bebora · C.O. Gor · N. Maingi · P.G. Mbuthia +1 more Newcastle disease (ND) is documented among the most important diseases of poultry in the world, causing devastating losses in both commercial and village chickens. It is capable of causing mortality rates of up to 100% of the flock and, as… RUF-34715 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The link between seasonal climatic variability and poverty: A case study of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Baringo District, Kenya D.M. Nyariki · V.O. Wasonga · A.M. Yazan Elhadi Poverty remains rampant in the dry districts of Kenya so that it has now become an important item on Kenya’s development agenda. The dry districts of Kenya receive low amounts of rainfall, which is also erratic. These regions are predomina… RUF-34545 2010 CC BY 4.0 27 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The impact of climate variability and extreme weather events on gender: Gender vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies for improved household food security in Malawi W. Kogi-Makau · D. Mkwambisi · D.M. Nyariki · V. M. Tasokwa Kakota The challenge to achieving household food security is a combination of biological, physical, and social factors. However, social factors, gender in particular, have received a cursory attention in adaptation studies. This study argues that… RUF-34540 2010 CC BY 4.0 26 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the impact of climate change adaptation on agriculture production in eastern Uganda B. Bashaasha · J.G.M. Majaliwa · M. N. Mangheni · D. Nabikolo The objective of the study is to assess the costs and benefits of the key gendered climate change adaptation strategies used by farmers in Mbale and Soroti districts, two diverse areas in eastern Uganda and investigate their potential base… RUF-34515 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate change adaptation strategies among agricultural communities in Uganda: The case of Kabale and Nakasongla districts P. Isubikalu · J.G.M. Majaliwa · R.L. Mwerera Climate change affects the ability of developing countries to achieve their poverty reduction and sustainable development strategies. Uganda was labeled among the most vulnerable countries to climate change risks. Rural farmers who depend … RUF-34511 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Understanding the gender dimensions of the impact of climate change on agriculture and adaptation among small holder farmers in eastern Uganda B. Bashaasha · J.G.M. Majaliwa · M. N. Mangheni The way gender influences the impact and adaptation to climate change is not well understood. Therefore, the overall objective of the study is to determine the gender dimensions of the impact of climate change on agriculture and small hold… RUF-34496 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate change adaptation strategies in the semi-arid region of Uganda P. Isubikalu · J.G.M. Majaliwa · P. Mukwaya This project documented the major climate change shocks, community adaptations and coping strategies in semi-arid areas of Uganda. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The study was conducted in four dis… RUF-34490 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Gender dimensions of climate change adaptation and mitigation by smallholder farmers in Uganda B. Bashaasha · T. Kisauzi · J.G.M. Majaliwa · M. N. Mangheni Climate change is now recognized as serious with long term negative effects on agricultural productivity, and hence on the well-being of communities especially in Africa. Farmers have experienced climate change effects and have tried to mi… RUF-34486 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Vulnerability to drought, adaptation and coping strategies among agro-pastoral communities in Botswana Kabo Mogotsi · M.M. Nyangito · D.M. Nyariki With the increased threat of climate change effects on the African continent, this study was carried out to document the coping mechanisms against the rampant droughts by the agropastoral communities in Botswana. The study was carried out … RUF-34479 2010 CC BY 4.0 25 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Climate change impacts to agriculture in Uganda’s semi arid areas, farmers’ means of adaptation: An application of cross-section data V. Ekiyar · C. Jumbe · J. Mangisoni · D. Mkwambisi The most climate change prone communities in Uganda are those living in semi arid areas of Karamoja and parts of Teso where droughts have been most frequent and most prolonged. In Karamoja alone, during the last decade more than 10 severe … RUF-34475 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access A support tool for enhancing policy decision making for climate change adaptation in agriculture: An information systems approach R. Batte · J.G.M. Majaliwa · A. S. Rwashana Policy decision making often fails to achieve the desired outcomes due to complexity of both the environment and the policy making process itself. This article highlights the impacts of climate change on human livelihood, discusses the wai… RUF-34474 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Participatory analysis of growing season: A key for understanding and copping drought risk in northern Ethiopia A. Araya Berhe Prolonged drought is one of the most serious climatic hazards affecting agricultural production and those most at risk are those countries currently vulnerable to climate variability. Barley is one of the economical and staple food crops g… RUF-34469 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conserve and screen premium value indigenous plant biodiversity and products on women smallholder farming systems of East Africa L.S.M. Akundabweni · A. Namutebi Various interventions for promoting the premium value of indigenous plants (IPs) are being adopted to enhance their status in the food sub sector. The project aims to enhance women smallholder farmers’ capacity in target Lake Victoria Basi… RUF-34426 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Linkages between crop residues, termite prevalence, crop lodging and subsequent crop yield under conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe E. F. Mutsamba · I. Nyagumbo Farmers believe that addition of residues to fields in conservation agriculture (CA) attract termites hence increase lodging, although they are beliefs that termites prefer feeding on dry matter and leave the crop. This study carried out i… RUF-34415 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Strengthening research capacity for agricultural development in post-conflict and protracted crisis countries in africa: A FARA perspective I. Annor-Frempong · N.K. Ojijo, Olang’o Conflicts or crises are prevalent in a number of African countries and invariably cause disruption of economic and livelihood support systems. The agricultural sector, a major contributor to economies of these countries, is often the most … RUF-34327 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access A ‘Trojan Horse’ approach to change: The case of GO4IT1 Willem Heemskerk · Washington Ochola · Mariana Wongtschowski Go4IT was based on the realisation that universities in Africa could improve their student training programmes, to bring change to these countries’ rural realities. To do this, the universities needed to improve the quality and content of … RUF-34317 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Harnessing agricultural science for the people: Are African Universities doing enough? S. Mpepereki Agricultural research in many African universities has been project-based and piece-meal, failing to focus on understanding the socio-cultural context of African agricultural systems and their interaction with the physical environment, and… RUF-34315 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effectiveness of information and communication technologies in dissemination of agricultural information to smallholder farmers in Kilosa District, Tanzania B.F. Kyazze · C. Levi · H. Sseguya Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to act as effective information dissemination channel that facilitates sustainable relationships between farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture sector. Past and on-goi… RUF-34308 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving graduate competencies through field attachments: Experiences from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University P. Ebanyat · P. Isubikalu · B. B. Obaa · H. N. Opolot The demand for skilled university graduates to address practical development challenges is higher today than ever before. Field attachment is one of the main approaches for integrating competence building into academic programmes in many u… RUF-34276 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the prospects for tertiary agricultural education in Africa H. Boly · L.M. Da Silva · C. Glym · Frey. H +2 more In order to reduce hunger and poverty across the African continent and build international competitiveness of the African agricultural sector, it will be necessary to trigger and maintain substantial rates of annual agricultural productivi… RUF-34247 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Seasonal rainfall variability, drought characterisation and efficacy of interpolation techniques: Case of Kenya’s central highlands M. Oscar Kisaka · F.S. Mairura · M. Mucheru-Muna · D.N. Mugendi +2 more Drier parts Eastern Kenya, endure persistent crop failure and declining agricultural productivity which have been attributed, in part, to high temperatures, prolonged dry-spells and particularly erratic rainfall. Understanding spatial-temp… RUF-34241 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Agricultural research and development trends and challenges in Mozambique K. Flaherty · A. Nhamusso The Agriculture Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM) with its national research networking has been working in a collaborative manner with the Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) initiative. ASTI is an initiative of IF… RUF-34224 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015