Technical reports Open Access A Special Report on Quality Assurance Mechanisms scoping studies in eastern and southern Africa Sylvia Chindime · J. Cossam · T. Ngwira · R. Obura This is a special report on quality assurance mechanisms (QAMs) scoping studies in eastern and southern Africa that were conducted in 2009. The appointed team focused on Makerere University, Egerton University, University of Malawi and Uni… RUF-33597 2009 CC BY 4.0 19 Feb 2015
Technical reports Open Access A study of Agricultural Graduates in Eastern, Central, & Southern Africa: Demand, Quality & Job Performance Issues Malcolm Blackie · Maxwell Mutema · Andrew Ward The overall objective of the study was to evaluate the demand for agricultural graduates at the bachelors, masters, and PhD level within selected ASARECA and RUFORUM countries and to use this information to inform agricultural education po… RUF-33584 2009 CC BY 4.0 16 Feb 2015
Working Document Series Open Access The RUFORUM Monthly Newsletter, August, 2014 - Community Action Research Grants: Connecting Universities to Rural Producers P. Nampala RUF-33291 2014 CC BY 4.0 7 Jul 2014
Working Document Series Open Access An Evaluation of the Operations of Three Farmer Associations in Western Kenya A.K. Kipkoech · C.U. Navalayo · O.A. Nekesa · J.O. Ochuodho +3 more The purpose of this study was to evaluate the operation of three contrasting farmer association in western Kenya in order to recommend ways in which to improve the economic performance of the associations. Secondary data were obtained from… RUF-33192 2012 CC BY 4.0 22 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Higher Education Partnerships: Experiences and Impact in Sub-Saharan Africa Teshome Alemneh · Tully Cornick Tertiary-level human capital in Africa, particularly in sub- Saharan Africa (SSA), is extremely low and, when available, it is variable in terms of quality and competitiveness. African countries are facing challenges related to ineffective… RUF-33171 2012 CC BY 4.0 21 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access RUFORUM Field Attachment Programme Award: An Internship Programme for MSc. Students E. Adipala · E. Nambi · P. Nampala · C.A. Ntwali At the core of its operations and business RUFORUM manages a Competitive Grants System (CGS) comprising three competitive granting mechanisms. These are the Graduate Research Grant (GRG); Community Action Research Grant (CARP); and the Fie… RUF-33152 2012 CC BY 4.0 21 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Agricultural research and higher education in Africa: trends, challenges and ways of moving forward Beintema Nienke Agricultural R&D is critical to increasing smallholder productivity and generating agricultural growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but governments continue to underinvest in agriculture, more specifically in agricultural research and … RUF-33143 2012 CC BY 4.0 21 May 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
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of Climate Change on Mangrove Crab (Scylla serrata) fattening and its Implication on the Livelihoods of Coastal Communities of Tanzania J.M. Abdallah · H.A. Lamtane · J.J. Mahenge This research project is aimed at evaluating the impact of climate change on the growing mud crab (Scylla serrata) fisheries industry in Tanzania. The specific objectives are: to assess the contribution of mud crab fattening to the livelih… RUF-32857 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Impact of Climate change Variability on Abundance of Crab in Pangani Estuary M.E. Kalinga · E.L. Kamata · H.A. Lamtane This research proposal focuses on the impact of climate change on abundance of mud crab (Scylla serrata) in the wild stock. Crab farming is practiced by collecting seeds from the wild and then shorten their growth period by fattening. Mud … RUF-32850 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Epidemiology of Epizoootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) on Fish in the Zambezi River System: A case study for Zambia B. Mfitilodze · A.R. Nsonga · K.L. Samui · D. Sikawa An epidemiological investigation was conducted from January to December 2011 in the Sesheke District of Zambia along the Zambezi River. The study aimed at determining factors associated with the outbreak of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (E… RUF-32834 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the Performance of the Aquaculture Fish Marketing chain: A case of Dowa and Mchinji Districts in Malawi D. Kaunda · D. Lisungu Banda · E. Ngongola This study was carried out in Dowa and Mchinji Districts in the Central Region of Malawi. The main purpose of the study was to improve the marketing system of the small scale fish farmers for increased income with particular focus on asses… RUF-32822 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economic Analysis of Fish farming in Mbale-sub region, Eastern Uganda A. Akol · Halasi Gidongo Zech · T.S. Hyuha · F. Muyodi +1 more Aquaculture is an important fish subsector in Uganda. It provides alternative employment opportunity along the entire value chain. Though aquaculture is facing many limitations like market imperfections, it is still being promoted as a sec… RUF-32802 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economics of Management of Farmer Associations in Western Kenya A.K. Kipkoech · S. Mwakubo · O.A. Nekesa · J.O. Ochuodho +3 more Farmer associations (FAs) have the capacity to improve earnings and the general welfare of their members when they are well managed. In this study, we characterise three umbrella FAs in western Kenya namely, Bungoma Small-Scale Farmers For… RUF-32795 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access University Outreach Support to Farmer Associations in Western Kenya: The Case of The RUFORUM’s Community Action Research Project (CARP) at Moi University A.K. Kipkoech · P.O. Mongare · C. Navalayo · J.O. Ochuodho +7 more Moi University’s School of Agriculture obtained a research grant from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) under the Community Action Research Program (CARP) to carry out a research leading to the … RUF-32782 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing Market Opportunities Through Value Chain Development: The Role of University Research J.N. Jagwe This paper was solicited to highlight the potential role of university research in enhancing market opportunities through value chain development. A definition of agricultural value chain is presented to get a common understanding of the t… RUF-32755 2012 CC BY 4.0 19 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Mineralogy of Africa’s Soils as a predictor of Soil Fertility M.N. Kamau · B. Mochoge · K.D. Shepherd Soil mineralogy is essential to understanding many facets of land use and a key determinant of all soil functional properties that are expensive or time-consuming to measure, and can solve specific agricultural and environmental problems. … RUF-32683 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access A Synthesis of Factors that Contributed to the Decline in the Number of Practical Assessed Projects for the Junior Secondary Education in Botswana K Hulela The purpose of this ethnographic research study was to investigate the factors that contributed to the decline in the number of practical assessed projects in junior secondary education in Botswana. The study was conducted at the Botswana … RUF-32594 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Maize streak virus (MSV) diversity in Uganda and the assessment of gene silencing as a tool for development of resistance to MSV B.E. Owor · D.M. Shepherd · J.A. Thompson Through an extensive survey conducted in all maize-growing regions in Uganda as well as the application of gene silencing to develop a novel disease control option for maize streak disease, the diversity of Maize streak virus (MSV) in diff… RUF-32561 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Economic Analysis of Transboundary Animal Disease Control in Ntungamo and Rakai Districts in Uganda I. Bayiyana · W. Ekere Livestock plays an important role in the economies of many developing countries. It provides food, income, employment and foreign exchange. Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) are a major threat to livestock keepers. They have evident eco… RUF-32327 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The Impact of Overvalued Exchange Rate Policy on Agricultural Trade in Sudan B.M. Elgali · R.H. Mustafa Since political situation has indicated that South Sudan would separate from the Sudan and the expectations of the country to lose its major source of foreign exchange from oil exports, the exchange rate of the Sudanese pound has deteriora… RUF-32310 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Information and Communication Technologies and Agricultural Knowledge Management: Comparative Assessment of Peri-urban and Rural Settings in Kenya F. Mugivane · D.A. Odongo · F. Olubayo The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of ICTs among smallholder farmers and extension agent for knowledge management, and compare the situation in peri-urban and rural settings. The study was carried out in two districts of … RUF-32304 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Information Access and Rating of Delivery Pathways by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Central Kenya T.P. Lanyasunya · J.W. Matofari · D.K. Mbugua · M. Ngigi +1 more A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a researcher administered structured questionnaire involving 344 smallholder dairy households in Limuru and Nyandarua South Districts in Central Kenya. The objective of the study was to establ… RUF-32295 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Fire Regime Characterisation and Mapping in the Niassa National Reserve: Preliminary Results Cangela Aménio · Natasha Ribeiro Niassa National Reserve (NNR) located in northern Mozambique is the largest conservation area in the country. It is subjected to fires every year due to agricultural and forestry activities. This study aims to map and characterise the fire… RUF-32242 2012 CC BY 4.0 15 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access A Comparative Analysis of Breeding Information Sourcing and Net Margin Estimates of Inseminations and Replacement Decisions of Smallholder Dairy Farmers P.M. Mshenga · N.J. Muthui · B. Omedo Bebe Milk deficit (MD) in western Kenya (MD) has created high demand for dairy breeding stock. This is mainly sourced from the neighbouring milk surplus Rift Valley (RV) region. Because of limited access to artificial insemination (AI) services… RUF-32239 2012 CC BY 4.0 14 May 2014