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 Sustainable crop production using hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to enrich soil fertility and conserve soil moisture for maize cropping in smallholder farming systems in Zimbabwe D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · M. Munyati · G. Nyamadzawo +2 more Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and available soil moisture. One of the major agricultural challenges in developing countries is the development of … RUF-34466 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Biotic constraints to passion fruit production in central and eastern provinces of Kenya R. Gathu · N. Kori · J. Mbaka · Maina Mwangi +1 more Passion fruit is an important crop in Kenya for income generation. However, passion fruit production faces major challenges due to pests and diseases that have led to yield losses of 50-100%. To support development of effective integrated … RUF-34463 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access An evaluation of the effect of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) on soil fertility of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe F Mapanda · A. Tumbure · M. Wuta Crop production in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe is limited by low inherent soil fertility, particularly N and P and available soil moisture. The use of efficient N fixing legumes is one way that can sustain soil fertility and co… RUF-34460 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Improving greengram production for nutritional diversification, income and food security in Uganda G. Elepu · J. Obuo · H. L. Talwana · N. Wanyera This project seeks options for improving greengram production and guidelines for promoting it as a crop for diversification of income and food security in Uganda. The project will analyze the greengram value chain system; identify the key … RUF-34456 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of oil quality and content from different Kenyan land races of Croton megalocarpus E. Kenya · J. Onchieku · E. Onyango Aroko The increasing industrialization and motorization of the world has led to a steep rise in demand of petroleum-based fuels. Today, fossil fuels constitute 80% of the primary energy consumed in the world, of which 58% alone is consumed by th… RUF-34449 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Yield response of different local and hybrid rice varieties to different ponding depths of water N. I. Kihupi · E. Mabvuto Nyirenda · A.K.P.R. Tarimo The combined increase in demand for food and scarcity of water worldwide necessitates saving water and increasing its productivity. This study determined varietal performance of four paddy cultivars - TXD306, TXD220, TXD88 and SUPA in term… RUF-34440 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 Influence of temperature on yield of carrots J. Allemann · G. M. Engelbrecht · N. A. Manosa This study evaluated the influence of temperature on yield and retinol content of two carrot cultivars. Both cultivars yielded higher at lower (10 °C) than higher temperature (18 °C), but retinol content was higher at 18 °C. RUF-34399 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Factors influencing pesticide use among cocoa farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria Akeem Abiade. Tijani Cocoa production in Nigeria is constrained by insect pests and diseases. The brown cocoa mirid (Sahlbergella singularis), the swollen shoot virus transmitted by mealy bugs and the black pod disease (Phytophthora palmivora and P. megakarya)… RUF-34393 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Analysis of multipurpose uses and management of Zizphus spina-christi (L.) desf. in semi-arid Ethiopia: Implications for food security Feyssa Debela Hunde · J.T. Njoka · M.M. Nyangito · Asfaw Zemede Quantitative ethnobotanical study of Ziziphus spina-christi was undertaken in six areas of east Shewa, Ethiopia. Both structured questionnaire and focus-group interviews were conducted with about 200 households. Arable land cultivation, an… RUF-34380 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Potential of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) to improve soil physical properties of sandy soils in central Zimbabwe D. Chinamo · F Mapanda · G. Nyamadzawo · M. Wuta Most farmers in the smallholder areas practice conventional tillage which results in soil loss of between 10-34 t ha-1 yr-1. Tillage also results in breakdown of macroaggregates into smaller aggregates as well as primary particles. Close p… RUF-34374 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Participatory management of Striga in cereal-based cropping systems in eastern Uganda J. Bisikwa · I. Kapting · M. B. Karuhanga · M. Otim +2 more Striga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that infects cereal crops often causing 30-100% crop losses on farmers’ fields. Past research has developed several effective Striga control strategies, most of which have not been adopted by farmers,… RUF-34365 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Assessment of the fruit fly, Batrocera invadens, pest status and the establishment of the parasitoid, Fopius arisanus in Mozambique G. Albano · D. Cugala · L. Santos Asian fruit flies in the genus Bactrocera (Diptera: Tephritidae) are regarded as some of the most destructive pests of fruits and vegetables worldwide and rank high on quarantine lists worldwide. Losses result from direct feeding damage, d… RUF-34342 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
Policy Briefs Open Access Research briefs for the Fourth Graduate Research Grants Call RUF-34334 2015 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2015
Policy Briefs Open Access Research Briefs for the Fifth Graduate Research Grants Call RUF-34333 2015 CC BY 4.0 19 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Creating an innovation platform for research impact: Lessons from the smallholder soyabean program in Zimbabwe S. Mpepereki This paper outlines the establishment of a broad innovation platform on to which more players were invited in efforts to meet the demands of participating farmers. We share this experience to encourage others to undertake impact-oriented p… RUF-34316 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 Weeds as potential biopesticides in Taro leaf blight disease management D. Chikoye · C. Fokunang · L. A. Fontem · E. M. Ndifon Weeds play an important role as biopesticides for the management of several field pests. An experiment was conducted in the Life Science Laboratories of the University of Buea in 2012 to assess the biopesticidal potential of aqueous extrac… RUF-34300 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Farmer perception on effects of the witch weed infestations in sorghum in Ishongorero sub county, Ibanda district, south western Uganda B. Bua · C. Nowamani Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is the fifth most important cereal in the semi arid regions of the world in terms of production and area planted. However, sorghum production is constrained by a number of factors including pests and di… RUF-34289 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access African research journals: Challenges and opportunities J.S. Tenywa The need for scholarly journals as a means of dissemination of outputs from African research efforts, particularly the problems and innovations unique to African and related conditions, is overwhelming; yet the operational environment is q… RUF-34284 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Two heads are better than one: Strengthening partnerships in research and higher education D. Doepel · M.P McHenry · S. Sharma Perhaps more than ever our survival as a species is dependent on our collective problem solving ability. Our ability to thrive requires creativity and innovation to seize some amazing opportunities. In both cases - solving problems and sei… RUF-34280 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Tertiary education: A prerequisite to meet global challenges M.J. Kropff · H.J.M. Löffler · C.A.D.M. Van de Vijver Innovation is considered to be crucial for addressing societal and economic challenges and opportunities in the agro-food domain. This calls for high-level educated employees, for which tertiary education is crucial. Since system innovatio… RUF-34279 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Biosecurity preparedness is integral to sustainable food security in Africa S. Sharma Growth in international trade, tourism and increasing international movements of people will increasingly expose countries in Africa to biosecurity threats, which will significantly impact on economies, community health and native biodiver… RUF-34278 2014 CC BY 4.0 17 Aug 2015
