Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Development in Agriculture (RUFORUM)
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The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Development in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is a network of 60 universities working together for relevance and quality in higher education. RUFORUM is committed to enhancing rural livelihoods, gender equity, youth employment and improving our environment.
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ItemIn-vitro techniques for elimination of viruses causing cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak disease(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 2016-10)Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD) are the two most important viral diseases affecting cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Uganda. The two diseases persist in the plant system causing yield losses and reduce quality of planting materials for the next planting. Cassava germplasm conservation efforts are still at its infancy and the current cassava seed systems is characterized by free exchange of cassava stakes among local communities, which promote the spread of CMD and CBSD. Farmerpreferred cassava varieties are particularly affected, and these need to be cleaned regularly. This paper highlights in-vitro techniques that have been developed and described for plant virus elimination including meristem tip culture, thermotherapy, and chemotherapy. The techniques may be used singly or in combination for effective virus elimination. The effectiveness of meristem tip culture, which is the most commonly used method for invitro virus elimination, critically depends on size of meristem. Nonetheless, virus type, position of meristem on the plant, and host plant species also determines efficiency of virus elimination and survival of explants. Thermotherapy and/or chemotherapy followed by meristem tip culture have been used to enhance virus elimination. The combination of thermotherapy followed by meristem tip culture minimizes difficulties associated with excision of small meristem size since thermotherapy allows for use of larger meristems. Further, chemotherapy followed by meristem tip culture increases efficiency of virus elimination but plant regeneration is low. High concentration of antiviral compounds may result in phytotoxicity and genetic mutations in plants. Together with application of sensitive virus detection and quantification methods before and after in-vitro treatment, a cheap combination of in-vitro techniques could be optimized for elimination of CMD and CBSD causing viruses.
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ItemPathogenicity of pineapple heart rot disease causal organisms in Central Uganda(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 2016-10)Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill) is one of the most important horticultural crops in many tropical and sub-tropical countries including Uganda. Currently, pineapple production in Uganda is being threatened by the outbreak of Pineapple heart rot disease (PHRD). Information on the pathogenicity of the causal organisms in Uganda is still scanty. Therefore, this study determined the pathogenicity of pineapple heart rot disease causal organisms from central Uganda. Pathogenicity of the pineapple heart rot causal organisms was assayed on green apple fruits and pineapple plants in the laboratory and the screen house. Results indicated that out of the seven pure cultures used for inoculation, five were pathogenic. Ninety five percent (95%) of all inoculated plants developed heart rot disease symptoms and characteristics with the emergence being observed within 4-7 days and 9-20 days on green apples and pineapple plants, respectively. Therefore this study has proved that PHRD causal organisms in Uganda affect pineapple and the effect manifests within a short period of time.
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ItemCharacteristics of effective nutrition-agricultural extension interventions: Lessons from civil society extension organizations in Uganda(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 2016-10)Conventional agricultural extension interventions have focused on production objectives with limited attention on nutrition. Recently, there has been a new thrust by the international and regional organizations as well as national governments to adopt extension interventions that engage farmers to improve their dietary practices and achieve nutrition outcomes. However, little has been documented on how these extension interventions can effectively facilitate the desired changes. The objective of the study was to identify characteristics of extension interventions that facilitate changes in farmers’ dietary practices. The study was conducted in Kihihi and Nyamirama subcounties of Kanungu District in South-western, Uganda. These communities are served by two civil society extension organizations; Africa2000Network (A2N) and Community Connector (CC). Nine in-depth Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 98 farmers were conducted to collect qualitative data about the interventions and their effect on farmers’ dietary practices. Two FGDs were conducted with extension workers to complement the farmers’ opinions. Results show that interventions that involve both men and women for trainings facilitated positive changes in dietary practices. Messages that go beyond food production and intake to include hygiene fostered positive change in the dietary practices. Furthermore, methods that were considered effective engaged farmers beyond formal training settings and included entertainment by incorporating drama, songs, and radio talk shows during their leisure time. Drama was pointed out as the most effective method. Conversely, individual methods mainly farmer-to-farmer visits and individual-learning through reading nutrition books were not well rated by farmers. Thus, the extension interventions that mix a variety of methods, more especially those that target men and women; reach farmers during their leisure time; train farmers on food production, food in-take, household hygiene and savings; conduct activities in accessible venues; and partner with universities to incorporate research findings to inform their design; facilitate positive changes in farmers’ dietary practices.
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ItemConsumers’ knowledge and preferences for organic vegetables in Tanzania(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 2016-10)In the last few years, organic food consumption has increased globally. This increase is due to widely reported incidents of some dangerous diseases related associated with consumption of food products produced with high levels of industrial pesticides and fertilizer. Consumers’ consciousness on health and food safety has been reported globally and has stimulated the growth of the organic market in the world. Tanzania is one of the countries in which consumers are conscious of what they consume, although the domestic market for organic products is still very low. Consumers’ food knowledge and preferences contributes to the growth of domestic market of selected products, yet this is unknown in Tanzania. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to examine consumers’ level of knowledge and their preferences with regard to organic vegetables in Tanzania. Data were collected in Dar es Salaam from 250 respondents. Descriptive statistics using SPSS software was used to determine the level of awareness/knowledge among consumers and their preferences. Results indicated that majority of consumers (82.4%) were aware of organic products in particular organic vegetables. The critical issue observed was how to get pure organic products in the local market since it is difficult to differentiate organic from conventional products in the absence of labeling. Fifty six percent (56%) of the respondents did not know how to differentiate organic from conventional vegetables. About 54% and 46% of respondents prefer quality cabbages and tomatoes, respectively, when making purchase decisions in the market. These results will provide key information for the organic food industry to promote the growth of domestic organic food markets along the value chain in Tanzania.
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ItemThe role of Information and Communication Technology in enhancing university-smallholder farming community engagement(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 2016-10)In the modern information economy, communication and information sharing is key in improving one’s way of working, thinking and living. Studies indicate that despite the flourishing Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector and a vibrant higher education sector, rural smallholder farmers are still struggling to access vital knowledge and information to improve their farming practices, access to market and policy advocacy. Higher institutions of learning through their outreach programmes have an important role to play in enhancing smallholder farmer’s ability to timely access knowledge and information. However, reorientation will be required for these institutions to deliver. This calls for innovations requiring approaches, frameworks, and models that exploit the potential of ICT’s in empowering higher institutions of learning capacity and ability to fill the knowledge and information gap among smallholder farmers. This paper discusses the role of innovative ICT’s in enhancing university smallholder farming community engagement.