Working Document Series Open Access Risk factors and socio-economic effects associated with spread of Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana district, Kenya L.C. Bebora · A. N. Gitau · S.M. Kihu · J.M. Njenga +1 more Peste des petit ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious, infectious and often fatal disease of sheep, goats and small wild ruminants. In Kenya PPR was first suspected in 1992 and confirmed in Turkana District in 2007. Turkana community live… RUF-34838 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Human resource practices, person organization fit and commitment among University lecturers I. M. Birungi · J. Kikooma · J. Ntayi The aim of this study is to understand how Human Resource Management (HRM) practices affect the people, or human resources, who work for the organization. Information generated is vital in driving the organizational strategies and goals in… RUF-34833 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Selected soil properties for prediction of plague vectors and reservoirs in Mavumo area, Lushoto District, Tanzania J.A. Deckers · H. Gulinck · B.H. John · N. I. Kihupi +4 more The importance of selected soil properties with respect to occurrence of plague vectors and reservoirs was studied in Lushoto District, Tanzania. Plague reservoirs showed significant correlation (p<0.05) with subsoil percent clay, topso… RUF-34832 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Determinants of fast-food consumption in Kampala, Uganda A. S. Ayo · J. Bonabana-Wabbi · D. Sserunkuuma Consumption of fast-foods in Uganda is becoming an increasingly important component of the food market as high income and busier consumers choose to dine out rather than prepare meals at home. Despite the importance of the fastfoods sector… RUF-34822 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Accounting records management and performance of small scale businesses M. Akello · J. E. Apio Records management is important for organizational growth and survival. It enhances decision making, accountability and staff performance. Although organizations keep records, not all these records are well documented and stored to facilit… RUF-34818 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Producer and consumer preferences for maize and sorghum quality characteristics in Uganda R. Ajambo · B. Bashaasha · G. Elepu · P. Okori Maize and sorghum are important staple food crops in Uganda and are emerging cash crops. Despite release of several improved varieties of maize and sorghum, adoption rates among farmers remain low. This is due to breeding programmes ignori… RUF-34809 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing socio-ecological change dynamics using local knowledge in the semiarid lowlands of Baringo District, Kenya R. Kinuthia Ngugi · D.M. Nyariki · V.O. Wasonga A clear understanding of the social and ecological change dynamics in pastoral ecosystems is imperative for formulation of appropriate policies that ensure sustainable resource use and livelihood security of pastoral households. Spatial an… RUF-34803 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Conceptualisation and measurement challenges in modelling pastorilists’ risk and vulnerability instigated by droughts in the group ranches of Kenya K. Farah · J. Njoka · D.M. Nyariki · E. Obudho +1 more This on-going study is assessing and modeling vulnerability and risks faced by pastoral communities in the dry areas of Lakipia in Kenya. Preliminary results from participatory rural appraisal indicate that poverty is widespread and the ar… RUF-34801 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Land use/land cover changes and their impact on the human-elephant conflict in Laikipia West District, Kenya Wellington Ekaya · T. W. Mumu · G. A. Olukoye Changes in land use and cover between 1973 and 2008 in Laikipia West district, Kenya was studied. The district shares a boundary with a protected wildlife area that among others has elephants. These often raid crops in addition to competin… RUF-34786 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Validation of satellite derived rainfall estimates over Kenya C. B. Lukorito · E. Muigai Njoroge · N. J. Muthama · G. O. Ouma Precipitation is one of the major components of the earth’s climate system. Many countries in the tropics depend on rainfall for the agricultural and hydrological activities which are dominant in their economies. Rainfall information is a … RUF-34783 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial variability in subterranean termite assemblage on grazing lands in semi-arid Nakasongola, Uganda C. Bakuneta · D. Mpairwe · S. Mugerwa · J. Nderitu +2 more Surges in termite activity and the associated destructive behavior have resulted into enormous deterioration of grazing lands in semi-arid Nakasongola in the drylands of central Uganda. Termites frequently attack and severely damage grasse… RUF-34780 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of spatio-temporal redistribution of major crops and livestock mobility due to climate change and variability in Uganda L. Aribo · P. Isubikalu · E. Komutunga · J.G.M. Majaliwa +4 more Considering how climate will change over the years offer important insight into how the challenges as result of climate change (CC) and variability can be responded to. Modeling and descriptive studies are being conducted in Uganda to gene… RUF-34775 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing the capacity of Kenya on climate risk reduction and climate change adaptation for sustainable agricultural productivity and food security C. B. Lukorito · G. O. Ouma Most vulnerable groups in countries in Sub Saharan Africa including Kenya are the poor who have least capacity for coping with the adverse impacts of the current climate extremes, and adapting to future climate changes. Lack of suitable co… RUF-34772 2010 CC BY 4.0 11 Sep 2015
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 Influence of seed bed preparation on morphometric characteristics of Eragrostis superba, Cenchrus ciliaris and Enteropogon macrostachyus in southeastern drylands of Kenya W.N. Ekaya · D.M. Nyariki · F. E. O. Omondi This study compared over a 6-month period effects of tractorploughing and hand-clearing seedbed preparation on morphometric characteristics of three arid and semi-arid grass species, namely; Eragrostis superba Peyr, Cenchrus ciliaris L and… RUF-34755 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 Effect of pruning on yield and quality of selected indeterminate tomato lines C. Mbonihankuye In this study, we investigated the effect of prunning intensity on tomato fruit yield of five introductions and one variety. Tomato line significantly affected all tomato yield components in addition to marketable and non-marketable yield.… RUF-34744 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Banana farming in Kenya: Options for rejuvenating productivity J. Mbaka · Maina Mwangi Bananas constitute an important component of farm enterprises in the mid altitudes of central and eastern provinces of Kenya. In recent years the crop has steadily gained importance over traditional cash crops, e.g. coffee, and various sho… RUF-34742 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Journal articles Open Access Perforation-mediated modified atmosphere packaging of fresh and minimally processed produce: A review J. Caleb Oluwafemi · Linus Opara Umezuruike · Hussein Zaharan The overwhelming global demand by consumers for convenience and fresh quality fruit and vegetables, heightens the need for appropriate postharvest technologies. In order to maintain freshness quality attributes, extend the shelf life of fr… RUF-34741 2015 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Understanding the persistence of foot-and-mouth disease in Uganda: The case of western Uganda A.R. Ademun Okurut · P. Isubikalu · C. Masembe · V. Muwanika Livestock, one of the important agricultural sectors in the lives of millions of people world over, is greatly affected by epidemics of Trans-boundary animal diseases (TAD). Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most important TAD tha… RUF-34739 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of fecal manure from cattle fed Calliandra, Gliricidia and Luecaena browse/maize silages on soil productivity F. B. Bareeba · H. Kato · E. N. Sabiiti Browses have tannins and lignin which bind protein N and fiber and could subsequently affect release of manure nutrients in the soil when fed to animals. In this experiment, which was a pot experiment, cattle fecal manure from browse/maize… RUF-34733 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Developing capacity for implementing innovative PPR control strategies based on the epidemiology and socio-economic aspects of the disease in the East African region L.C. Bebora · C.G. Gitao · E. Karimuribo · S.M. Kihu +4 more Major losses in sheep and goats have been incurred from Peste des petit ruminants (PPR), a relatively new disease in East Africa. It first appeared in Eastern Uganda but has since spread to most of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Small rumina… RUF-34732 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the spatio-temporal bovine migratory routes and transboundary animal diseases infestation in Uganda I. Bayiyana · W. Ekere · P. Lochap · M.G.J. Majaliwa +2 more Livestock form an important part of Uganda’s GDP with a big proportion of households deriving their livelihoods from the sector. However, pasture management and disease control especially Transboundary Animal Disease outbreaks have challen… RUF-34728 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Development of management practices for sustainable improvement of indigenous goats in Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · D.M. Komwihangilo · E.E. Ndemanisho In recent years exotic breeds and crossbred goats of the indigenous breeds and some European breeds (mainly dairy goats) have been distributed in rural areas of Tanzania to increase goat productivity and alleviate poverty. However, the dis… RUF-34721 2010 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015