Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture

Maize (Zea mays L.) productivity is constrained by water shortages in the predominantly rainfed agriculture of the tropical semi-arid Ruzizi Plain, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region is characterized by a high seasonal and inter-annual rainfall variability and a frequent occurrence of consecutive dry days within growing seasons. Consequently, planning water utilization in rainfed agriculture has become complex, as appropriate soil water conservation (SWC) practices are lacking among most smallholder farmers. Identifying practices that increase water use efficiency (WUE) along the slope gradient is crucial for supporting maize production in the region. In this study, we assessed, for three growing seasons, the effectiveness of two SWC practices (tied ridges and Zai pits) in improving the WUE of two maize varieties along three slope gradients (0–2, 2–8, and 8–15%) in the tropical semi-arid Ruzizi Plain. In this area, rainfall amounts (142–289 mm) were consistently below the evapotranspiration demands (356–533 mm) across the three growing seasons. Tied ridges recorded the highest grain yield (2.16 t ha−1) and WUE (15.23 kg mm−1), especially at low slopes, when compared to Zai pits and conventional tillage. For all SWC practices, WUE decreased with the slope gradient (p < 0.01). Furthermore, a decrease in stored soil water (SWS) at silking and maturity stages (milk, dough, and dent stages) negatively affected the WUE. The variety had no significant effect on grain yield and WUE. Root biomass (RBM), shoot biomass (SBM), and leaf area index (LAI) at the flowering stage were the most associated with the WUE (R2 = 58.5%). In conclusion, tied ridges showed potential for improving maize WUE and yield in the water-deficient conditions that characterize the Ruzizi Plain, and could be promoted to improve the maize productivity among smallholder farmers.

Rangelands are known for their potential in mitigating rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) in rangelands under traditional management systems in Karamoja sub-region in Uganda, with a view to facilitating the development of appropriate and strategic management practices for the rangeland resources. The study was conducted during the wet season of the sub-region. Four land use/cover types (cropland, grassland, woodland and thickets/shrubland) were laid out in a completely randomised design. Soil samples were collected from four plots each one measuring 50 m x 40 m in each land use/cover type. A diagonal design was used for sample collection at depths of 0 - 15 and 15 - 30 cm. Results showed that at both soil depths, croplands had the lowest mean SOC and highest N; while grasslands had the highest SOC. Also, cropland recorded the highest mean soil bulk density at both depths. Based on soil analysis only, this study showed that conversion to cropland over a specified period of time can considerably reduce the ability of rangelands to sequester carbon. Further studies to include assessment of carbon stocks in the respective vegetation biomass are recommended.

Adaptation framing remains one of the major challenges to achieving greater implementation of adaptation initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using an integrated analytical framework that frames adaptation indicators into three dimensions; adaptive, absorptive and transformative capacities, we analysed the adaptation diversity in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. We found a strong perception of the existence of climate variability and change manifested through the occurrence of droughts, floods, hailstorms, late onset and early rainfall onset. Absorptive capacity revealed varied status of asset ownership, custodianships, and access to these assets, presence of informal social safety nets, and social cohesion. Adaptive capacity revealed the presence of a diversity of livelihood sources, livelihood assets and associated income, but its human capital indicator revealed considerably high illiteracy levels among respondents. Meanwhile, transformative capacity revealed existence of network structures, governance and institutions, facilitated access to early warning information on pests, diseases and rainfall onset. Traditional institutions and the justice system played a key role in conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation for kraals establishment, grazing, and watering rights. We conclude that pastoral communities in Karamoja have a high inclination to maintenance of stability while their flexibility and ability to change decreases with the intensity of change pro-rata.

The Long-term EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (LEAP4FNSSA) is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA). The main objective of the project is to provide a tool for European and African institutions to engage in a Sustainable Partnership Platform for research and innovation on Food and Nutrition Security, and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). Work Package 3 (WP3) of the project aims to provide the core information system for the partnership platform. These data are the results of three virtual workshop sessions organized on 23rd and 24th of November 2020 (1st and 2nd sessions), and 9th of December 2020 (3rd session). Topic of data: Evaluation of the classes, i.e. themes of a document Data description: (1) 15 texts (i.e. abstracts) evaluated according 4 topics (production, processing, distribution, consumption) + 2 classes ‘other’ and ‘I don’t know’, (2) 10 contributions (WP3 members).

Phenological properties are critical in understanding global environmental change patterns. This study analyzed phenological dynamics in a savannah dominated semi-arid environment of Uganda. We used moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index (MODIS NDVI) imagery. TIMESAT program was used to analyse the imagery to determine key phenological metrics; onset of greenness (OGT), onset of greenness value, end of greenness time (EGT), end of greenness value, maximum NDVI, time of maximum NDVI, duration of greenup (DOG) and range of normalized difference vegetation index (RNDVI). Results showed that thicket and shrubs had the earliest OGT on day 85 ± 14, EGT on day 244 ± 32 and a DOG of 158 ± 25 days. Woodland had the highest NDVI value for maximum NDVI, OGT, EGT, and RNDVI. In the bushland, OGT occurs on average around day 90 ± 11, EGT on day 255 ± 33 with a DOG of 163 ± 36 days. The grassland showed that OGT occurs on day 96 ± 13, EGT on day 252 ± 36 with a total DOG of 156 ± 33 days. Early photosynthesis activity was observed in central to eastern Karamoja in the districts of Moroto and Kotido. There was a positive relationship between rainfall and NDVI across all vegetation cover types as well as between phenological parameters and season dynamics. Vegetation senescence in the sub-region occurs around August to mid-September (day 244–253). The varied phenophases observed in the sub-region reveal an inherent landscape heterogeneity that is beneficial to extensive pastoral livestock production. Continuous monitoring of savannah phenological patterns in the sub-region is required to decipher landscape ecosystem processes and functioning.

Over 70% of Uganda is infested by the tsetse fly, which has negative effects on human and livestock health. From colonial to post-independent Uganda, the Government of Uganda has worked to eradicate the tsetse menace. Despite these efforts, recent veterinary reports from the Karamoja sub-region have indicated widespread tsetse invasion. This study investigated the potential impact of tsetse invasion on the socioecological resilience of pastoral communities in the Karamoja sub-region. Results indicated that tsetse invasion is spreading from north to south of Karamoja. The tsetse transmission route emerging from southern Karamoja is perceived to be a continuation of the tsetse belt from West Pokot, Kenya. Cases of livestock deaths, livestock abortions, decreased milk yields, restricted access to prime grazing lands, heightened human-wildlife conflicts and disruption on crop cultivation have been reported. A computed socioecological resilience index in the study area was positive but low. Owing to the transboundary characteristics of tsetse invasions and sources and the associated documented effects, an urgent, strategic and system-wide intervention should be undertaken to control the tsetse invasion in this sub-region.

This Issue of the African Journal of Rural Development (Volume 2, Issue 4) comprises ten articles featuring six broad themes.The themes include human capital development and associated innovative models for training and learning at higher education institutions in Africa; niche markets for smallholder farmers and end-users; dietary diversification for better nutrition; optimizing cropping systems; compensation for customary properties to facilitate public good; and, perception of target legatees on the delivery of agricultural extension services.These themes represent contemporary issues in the rural development context for which research solutions and innovations are needed which once taken to scale have potential to bring about change in communities.All the articles are authored by universitybased research teams and the recommendations there-in are an indication of the contribution of higher education institutions to desired development targets at global and national levels.The key messages in this collection are (a) the need for promoting innovative models in postgraduate training and research that promote through use of heutagogy, a reflective learning approach that will facilitate the production of well-prepared graduates to handle the complexities of agricultural and rural development contexts; and, (b) beyond training human capital, higher education institutions play a critical role in generating solutions that have potential to accelerate uptake of innovations in agriculture and rural development for the betterment of livelihoods to promote experiential learning as a means of training labour market-ready graduates, universities should ensures a blended approach with respect to pedagogical, andragogical and heutagogical approaches to teaching for life-long learning.