Working Document Series Open Access The use of digitalization as an alternative mechanism to increase enrolment in higher education institutions: a case study of public universities in Botswana K Hulela · S. Letlamoreng · O. Modongo · M. V. Motaung +1 more The purpose of this study was to assess factors perceived to influence students’ enrolment in public higher education institutions in Botswana so as to recommend alternative mechanisms and strategies to increase enrolment. Primary and seco… RUF-40956 2024 CC BY 4.0 12 Sep 2024
Journal articles Open Access Prospects and challenges of Matekane Group of Companies in transforming rural livelihoods at Mantšonyane, Lesotho L.M. Musi Attempts since independence in 1966 to transform the rural sector in Lesotho have failed to achieve the intended outcomes and most rural development projects have since collapsed. This research was conducted with smallholder farmers who we… RUF-40875 2024 CC BY 4.0 5 Mar 2024
Journal articles Open Access Prospects and challenges of Matekane Group of Companies in transforming rural livelihoods at Mantšonyane, Lesotho M.J. Mathosi · L.M. Musi Attempts since independence in 1966 to transform the rural sector in Lesotho have failed to achieve the intended outcomes and most rural development projects have since collapsed. This research was conducted with smallholder farmers who we… RUF-40874 2024 CC BY 4.0 5 Mar 2024
Journal articles Open Access Estimating the causal effect of sustainable agriculture intensification adoption on agricultural land expansion in Katete district of Zambia: An endogenous switching regression analysis R. Asiimwe · A. Egeru · P. Hamazakaza · G. Kabwe +2 more Forest land cover is declining at an alarming rate in Zambia and this poses a threat to the elimination of major ecosystem services. Identification of sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) practices presents an opportunity to redu… RUF-40865 2024 CC BY 4.0 5 Mar 2024
Journal articles Open Access A gendered approach to the goat value chain analysis: A case study of Mbire District, Zimbabwe J. Musovi · T. Mutibvu · B Rusawo This study evaluated the functionality of the goat value chain from a gender perspective in a rural district of Zimbabwe prone to crop failure due to droughts and flooding in some parts. Using KII and a semi-structured questionnaire, data … RUF-40848 2024 CC BY 4.0 5 Mar 2024
Working Document Series Open Access Report on the implementation of the RUFORUM Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Enhancing crop productivity and household food security among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe J.T. Rugare Eliminating hunger and food insecurity is top on Africa’s development Agenda because it is perceived to be a key factor in promoting economic growth. Africa continues to experience food shortages due to a mismatch between crop productivity… RUF-40813 2019 CC BY 4.0 22 Nov 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Smallholder keepers’ preference for cattle insurance in Botswana: An application of conjoint analysis P. Irungu · R. A. Nyikal · O. S. Ramolefhe The cattle population in Botswana has deteriorated from 2.8 million to 2.1 million over the years. The deterioration results from various risks including re-occurring drought and high disease prevalence. As a result of these perils, a live… RUF-40812 2019 CC BY 4.0 22 Nov 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Refocusing the Direction of Agricultural Research and Education in Zimbabwe E. Nyakudya This paper highlights on-going transformatic changes taking place at the University of Zimbabwe, which aligns to the Government of Zimbabwe Vision 2030. It focuses on efforts by the Faculty of Agriculture to create inter-diciplinary resear… RUF-40787 2019 CC BY 4.0 21 Nov 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Generation of Future Science Leaders through Mentorship and Research: The case of Carnegie Post-Doctoral Fellowship J. Mwololo · T. Odong · P. Okori A postdoctoral fellowship was awarded to support research focusing on grain legumes and dryland cereals. Training of young scientists towards masters and doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees was embedded within the fellowship. Collaborative … RUF-40785 2019 CC BY 4.0 21 Nov 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Managing Agriculture Risk through Commodity Exchanges: An opportunity for Zimbabwe and other emerging economies E. Chikodza · T. Makoni Zimbabwe is an agro-ecological area and its economy is backed by agriculture. Managing agricultural activities is important as this will impact positively on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). There are risks associated with agric… RUF-40734 2019 CC BY 4.0 20 Nov 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L) accessions for agronomic traits under greenhouse conditions U. Batlang · L.M Nuugulu · Otsoseng Oagile · F. Pule-Meulenberg Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L) is one of the African leaf vegetables with great potential of enhancing nutritional security and livelihood of many resource-poor communities. Although spider plant has a good potential for improving diets … RUF-40620 2023 CC BY 4.0 26 Sep 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Effects of supplementation with leaves of Bophia massaensis (abovata) in beef cattle K. A Epalanga · M Fernando · C Moras The low animal productivity in the tropics is associated with several factors including seasonality and the qualitative variation of available fodder. A study was carried out at the Tchissola-k farm in the Municipality of Kahama, Angola fr… RUF-40543 2018 CC BY 4.0 27 Jul 2023
Working Document Series Open Access A comparative study of secondary school students’ performance in civic education and government in senior secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria O.A. Babatuyi · O.A Ige · O. Olutimehin This study investigated a point of contact between Government and Civic Education as school subjects in relations to academic performance of the Ondo State Senior Secondary School Students. A descriptive survey design was adopted. A total … RUF-40503 2021 CC BY 4.0 2 Jun 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Role of cold plasma pre-treatment in enhancing the drying of ‘Keitt’ mango Z.A Belay · F. October · J. C. Oluwafemi · G Sigge +1 more Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a popular tropical fruit consumed throughout the world. However, when untreated before storage, the fruit undergoes progressive undesired changes, which result in postharvest losses. A management technique fo… RUF-40494 2021 CC BY 4.0 2 Jun 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Preliminary assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on crop production in the Central District of Botswana T. Mokumako The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on crop production in Africa. However, literature reports mainly the adverse effects brought about by the pandemic. Little is known about the positive impact that the pandemic may have had on the ara… RUF-40486 2021 CC BY 4.0 2 Jun 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Factors affecting the adoption of climate risks adaptation strategies within maize farming systems in Malawi: Do farmers risk attitude matter? S. Gbegbelegbe · K. Machila · R. Magreta · J. Mangisoni +1 more This study examined the risk attitude of farmers on climatic change and how this influences the choice of climate variability adaptation strategies to mitigate the effects of climatic risks. Using 2012 and 2015 household panel data of 346 … RUF-40437 2021 CC BY 4.0 2 Jun 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Telecom network energy management for sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa: Towards a solution through a systems approach J. Lalk · C. Mbiika · G. A. Thopil A dependable, economically viable, environmentally friendly and sustainable energy system is a foundation of any modern society. The Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) telecommunications industry has seen, in the last years, a significant surge in f… RUF-40348 2021 CC BY 4.0 1 Jun 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Implications of women’s work space and work load on small-stock production by beneficiaries of Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) programme in the central district of Botswana M. Bosompem · P. Kamanda · M. V. Motaung In Botswana, poverty alleviation programmes that are agricultural oriented, have been developed for rural dwellers. Despite these interventions, there is still persistent poverty in the rural areas. Some of the research works have shown th… RUF-40219 2023 CC BY 4.0 31 May 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Farmers awareness, participation and participation intensity of organic tomato production in south-West Nigeria: A Triple Hurdle Model estimation L. C Familusi Agriculture is usually categorised into organic agriculture and non-organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is still at the initial development stage in Nigeria. Hence, its awareness and participation in it is still low. Therefore, this … RUF-40193 2023 CC BY 4.0 31 May 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Farmers awareness, participation and participation intensity of organic tomato production in south-West Nigeria: A Triple Hurdle Model estimation L. C Familusi Agriculture is usually categorised into organic agriculture and non-organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is still at the initial development stage in Nigeria. Hence, its awareness and participation in it is still low. Therefore, this … RUF-40192 2023 CC BY 4.0 31 May 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Farmers awareness, participation and participation intensity of organic tomato production in south-West Nigeria: A Triple Hurdle Model estimation A. Edriss · L. C Familusi · J. Kazembe · A. O. Onoja +1 more Agriculture is usually categorised into organic agriculture and non-organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is still at the initial development stage in Nigeria. Hence, its awareness and participation in it is still low. Therefore, this … RUF-40191 2023 CC BY 4.0 31 May 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Yield and physicochemical properties of Marula [Sclerocarya birrea] seed oils among nine international provenances tested in Malawi J.F. Kamanula · M. Kamanula · Chimuleke, R.Y. Munthali The study was carried out to assess the yield and physicochemical properties of seed oils among nine international provenances of Sclecorya birrea (subspecies caffra and birrea) planted in Malawi. Seed oils were obtained using Soxhlet extr… RUF-40159 2023 CC BY 4.0 22 May 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Abundance and diversity of safflower insect pests and their natural enemies K Basiame · Vallantino Emongor · B. Tiroesele A study was carried out in a farmer’s field in Molepolole, Botswana to investigate diversity and abundance of different insect pests in five safflower genotypes. Thirteen insect species belonging to eight arthropod orders were observed dur… RUF-40108 2023 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Time of harvesting petals influence on carthamin and carthamidin content and yield components in safflower: A review Vallantino Emongor · B.P. Setshogela Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a multipurpose oilseed and industrial crop with great potential to be grown in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Safflower petals are a source of carthamin and carthamidin used for medicinal pu… RUF-40082 2023 CC BY 4.0 15 May 2023
Working Document Series Open Access Safflower the Climate Smart Crop for Arid and Semi-arid Lands Vallantino Emongor · O. G. Moatshe · B. Tiroesele Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a neglected and underutilized multipurpose oil seed crop that is climate smart. The crop is drought, saline, and extreme temeprature (-14-43°C) tolerant. Safflower is the most drought tolerant oilsee… RUF-40080 2023 CC BY 4.0 15 May 2023
