Ignoring Functionality as a Correlate of the Underutilization of Computer and Information Technology in Rwandan Higher Education Institutions

The world over, higher education institutions (HEIs) have invested heavily in the promotion of computer and information technology (CIT). Inmany HEIs in Sub-Saharan Africa, however, a disturbing dilemma pertains to the low adoption of the technologies, in spite of the enormity of the investment that the institutions have made in their promotion. Grounded on the propositions of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model, this study examined whether this dilemma is due to the way the institutions invest in the promotion of the technologies, taking the case of three HEIs in Rwanda. Data were collected on the institutions’ expenditure on components of the TCO and the findings contrasted with documented experiences from CIT-savvy settings, to establish whether the institutions meet the TCO. The findings were that expenditure on the promotion of the technologies is skewed in disfavor of cost components that pertain to the functionality of the technologies. Overriding attention is put on acquisition of the technologies but this has led to underutilization of the CIT ware acquired. It was also found that the availability of CIT ware and personnel in the institutions is still inadequate, notwithstanding the bias of investment in CITs that is in favor of their acquisition. It is, therefore, concluded that while efforts to acquire CIT ware and personnel are still relevant, the managers of the institutions should also increase expenditure on training end-users; establishing end-user service desks; and repairing/replacing obsolete CIT equipment.Keywords: TCO; ICT adoption; Rwanda

Effect Of Planting Method On Establishment Of Napier Grass Varieties

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is extremely valuable in eastern Africa, but high biomass production is often limited by poor establishment. An experiment was carried out at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) to determine the effect of planting method on sprouting and survival of Napier cuttings for three varieties. Erect and prostrate planting methods were compared. During the period 10 to 52 days after planting, ILCA 16791 was superior in percentage sprouting, development of fully opened leaves and 10 to 15 cm long leaves, and consequently had the lowest percentage of plants failing to sprout. The erect planting method resulted in a slightly higher percentage of sprouted Napier cuttings, but, generally, planting method did not have a significant effect on sprouting, growth and plant survival. Survival varied significantly between seasons.Le napier (Pennisetum purpurem Schum.) est extr\ueamementt valable en Afrique de l'Est, mais la haute production en biomasse est souvent limit\ue9e par un faible \ue9tablissement. Une exp\ue9rience a \ue9t\ue9 conduite \ue0 l'Institut de recherche Agricole de l'Universit\ue9 Makerere, \ue0 Kabanyolo (MUARIK) en vue de d\ue9terniner l'effet de la m\ue9thode de plantation sur la pousse et la survie des trois vari\ue9t\ue9s de bouture de Napier. Les m\ue9thodes de plantation en position \ue9rig\ue9e et \ue0 plat ont \ue9t\ue9 compar\ue9es. Durant la p\ue9riode de 10 \ue0 52 jours apr\ue8s la plantation, l'ILCA 16791 \ue9tait sup\ue9rieur en pourcentage de la pousse, au d\ue9veloppement des feuilles pleinement ouverts et de 10 \ue0 15 cm de longueur, et par cons\ue9quent, avait le plus bas pourcentage des plants ayant \ue9chou\ue9 \ue0 la pousse. La m\ue9thode de plantation en position \ue9rig\ue9e a donn\ue9 un pourcentage beaucoup plus d\ue9cevant sur la pousse de bouture de Napier, mais g\ue9n\ue9ralement, la m\ue9thode de plantation n'a pas eu d'effet consid\ue9rable sur la taille, la croissance et la survie du plant. La survie a vari\ue9 suivant les saisons

Effect of plant population on yield of maize and climbing beans grown in an intercropping system

Increased adoption of climbing beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris check for this species in other resources L.) in Kabale district, south-western Uganda, has been limited by scarcity of staking materials, despite the crop's higher yield potential compared to bush bean types when grown on fertile soils. There is therefore need to explore other appropriate mechanisms such as intecropping, that could substitute use of stalks. A field experiment was conducted at Kachwekano near Kabale town for two seasons: second rains of 1996 (1996b) and first rains of 1997 (1997a), to determine the appropriate plant population density (PPD) of maize that would maximize bean yield in an intercrop system. The treatments were: (a) maize PPD ranging from 25 000 to 40 000 plants ha-1, and (b) bean PPD ranging from 57 142 to 95 238 plants ha-1. Sole crops were planted at the recommended PPD of 44 444 and 111 111 plants ha-1 for maize and climbing beans, respectively. Maize in mixtures was planted in single rows 1.0 m apart. Two rows of beans were planted in the space between maize rows, 10 days after maize emergence. Plant densities were achieved by varying the within-row spacing from 0.25 to 0.40 m for maize and 0.30 to 0.50 m for beans. Maize PPD significantly affected bean yield only during the second rains (1996b), probably due to a favourable moisture regime. Bean PPD significantly affected maize yield only during the first rains (1997a), presumably due to drought stress. The highest intercrop bean yield of 1.075 t ha-1 was realised from a final mixture of 24 575 and 66 666 plants ha-1 of maize and beans, respectively, during the second rains. Intercropping significantly reduced maize yield during the second rains and bean yields in both seasons. The intercrop system had a yield advantage of 26 % (i.e., LER = 1.26) over pure stands of the component crops only during the second rains, presumably due to complementary use of resources. However, there were no yield advantages observed during the first rains probably due to drought stress. Mean total income (TI) from the mixtures was 226.8 and 31.8% higher than income from sole bean and maize crops, respectively, during the second rains. Income from the mixtures was 58.7 and 72.5 % higher than income from sole bean and maize crops, respectively, during the first rains

Effect Of Plant Population On Yield Of Maize And Climbing Beans Grown In An Intercropping System

Increased adoption of climbing beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kabale district, south-western Uganda, has been limited by scarcity of staking materials, despite the crop's higher yield potential compared to bush bean types when grown on fertile soils. There is therefore need to explore other appropriate mechanisms such as intecropping, that could substitute use of stalks. A field experiment was conducted at Kachwekano near Kabale town for two seasons: second rains of 1996 (1996b) and first rains of 1997 (1997a), to determine the appropriate plant population density (PPD) of maize that would maximize bean yield in an intercrop system. The treatments were: (a) maize PPD ranging from 25 000 to 40 000 plants ha-1, and (b) bean PPD ranging from 57 142 to 95 238 plants ha-1. Sole crops were planted at the recommended PPD of 44 444 and 111 111 plants ha-1 for maize and climbing beans, respectively. Maize in mixtures was planted in single rows 1.0 m apart. Two rows of beans were planted in the space between maize rows, 10 days after maize emergence. Plant densities were achieved by varying the within-row spacing from 0.25 to 0.40 m for maize and 0.30 to 0.50 m for beans. Maize PPD significantly affected bean yield only during the second rains (1996b), probably due to a favourable moisture regime. Bean PPD significantly affected maize yield only during the first rains (1997a), presumably due to drought stress. The highest intercrop bean yield of 1.075 t ha-1 was realised from a final mixture of 24 575 and 66 666 plants ha-1 of maize and beans, respectively, during the second rains. Intercropping significantly reduced maize yield during the second rains and bean yields in both seasons. The intercrop system had a yield advantage of 26 % (i.e., LER = 1.26) over pure stands of the component crops only during the second rains, presumably due to complementary use of resources. However, there were no yield advantages observed during the first rains probably due to drought stress. Mean total income (TI) from the mixtures was 226.8 and 31.8% higher than income from sole bean and maize crops, respectively, during the second rains. Income from the mixtures was 58.7 and 72.5 % higher than income from sole bean and maize crops, respectively, during the first rains.L'adoption croissante d'haricot grippant ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) dans le district de Kabale au sud-ouest de l'Ouganda, a été limitée par le manque des matériels de soutien, en dépit du potentiel élevé du rendement des plantes comparé au haricot des types forestiers lorsque cultivé sur des sols fertiles. Il y a donc un besoin d'explorer les autres mécanismes appropriés tel que l'inter culture, qui pourrait substituer l'usage des tiges. Une expérience sur terrain était conduite à Kachwekano près de la ville de Kabale pendant deux saisons : secondes pluies de 1996 (1996b) et premières pluies de 1997 (1997a), pour déterminer la densité de population des plantes appropriée (PPD) de maïs qui pourrait maximiser le rendement de haricot dans un système d'inter culture. Les traitements étaient : (a) PPD de maïs s'étendant de 25000 à 40000 plantes ha-1, et (b) PPD de haricot allant de 57142 à 95238 plantes ha-1. Seule les plantes de même nature étaient plantées à PPD recommandée de 44444 et 111111 plantes ha-1 pour le maïs et haricot respectivement. Le maïs mélangé était planté en lignes uniques de 1,0 m de distance. Deux lignes de haricot étaient plantées dans l'espace entre les lignes de maïs, 10 jours après l'emergemce du maïs. Les densités de plantes étaient atteintes en variant l'espace entre lignes de 0,25 à 0,40 m pour le maïs et 0,30 à 0,50 pour le haricot. La PPD de maïs avait significativement affecté le rendement de haricot seulement durant les secondes pluies (1996b), probablement à cause d'un régime humide favorable. La PPD de haricot a significativement affecté le rendement de maïs seulement durant les premières pluies (1997a), vraisemblablement à cause de la sècheresse. Le rendement le plus élevé de haricot en inter culture de 1,075t ha-1 était réalisé à partir d'un mélange final de 24575 et 66666 plantes ha-1 de maïs et haricot respectivement, durant les secondes pluies. L'inter culture a significativement réduit le rendement de maïs durant les secondes pluies et les rendements de haricot dans les deux saisons. Le système d'inter culture avait un avantage de rendement de 26% (c. à.d, LER=1,26) sur les témoins purs des composantes des plantes durant les secondes pluies, vraisemblablement à cause de l'usage des ressources complémentaires. Cependant, il n y avait pas des avantages de rendements observés durant les premières pluies probablement à cause de la sécheresse. La moyenne totale de revenus (IT) des de cultures mélangées était 226,8 et 31,8% élevée que le revenu des plantes d'haricot seul et maïs seul respectivement, durant les secondes pluies. Le revenu des cultures mélangées était 58,7 et 72,5% élevé que le revenu des plantes de haricot seul et maïs seul respectivement, durant les premières pluies

Effect Of Plant Population On Yield Of Maize And Climbing Beans Grown In An Intercropping System

Increased adoption of climbing beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kabale district, south-western Uganda, has been limited by scarcity of staking materials, despite the crop\'s higher yield potential compared to bush bean types when grown on fertile soils. There is therefore need to explore other appropriate mechanisms such as intecropping, that could substitute use of stalks. A field experiment was conducted at Kachwekano near Kabale town for two seasons: second rains of 1996 (1996b) and first rains of 1997 (1997a), to determine the appropriate plant population density (PPD) of maize that would maximize bean yield in an intercrop system. The treatments were: (a) maize PPD ranging from 25 000 to 40 000 plants ha-1, and (b) bean PPD ranging from 57 142 to 95 238 plants ha-1. Sole crops were planted at the recommended PPD of 44 444 and 111 111 plants ha-1 for maize and climbing beans, respectively. Maize in mixtures was planted in single rows 1.0 m apart. Two rows of beans were planted in the space between maize rows, 10 days after maize emergence. Plant densities were achieved by varying the within-row spacing from 0.25 to 0.40 m for maize and 0.30 to 0.50 m for beans. Maize PPD significantly affected bean yield only during the second rains (1996b), probably due to a favourable moisture regime. Bean PPD significantly affected maize yield only during the first rains (1997a), presumably due to drought stress. The highest intercrop bean yield of 1.075 t ha-1 was realised from a final mixture of 24 575 and 66 666 plants ha-1 of maize and beans, respectively, during the second rains. Intercropping significantly reduced maize yield during the second rains and bean yields in both seasons. The intercrop system had a yield advantage of 26 % (i.e., LER = 1.26) over pure stands of the component crops only during the second rains, presumably due to complementary use of resources. However, there were no yield advantages observed during the first rains probably due to drought stress. Mean total income (TI) from the mixtures was 226.8 and 31.8% higher than income from sole bean and maize crops, respectively, during the second rains. Income from the mixtures was 58.7 and 72.5 % higher than income from sole bean and maize crops, respectively, during the first rains. Key Words: Competitive ratio, land equivalent ratio, Phaseolus vulgaris, Uganda, Zea mays RESUME L\'adoption croissante d\'haricot grippant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) dans le district de Kabale au sud-ouest de l\'Ouganda, a été limitée par le manque des matériels de soutien, en dépit du potentiel élevé du rendement des plantes comparé au haricot des types forestiers lorsque cultivé sur des sols fertiles. Il y a donc un besoin d\'explorer les autres mécanismes appropriés tel que l\'inter culture, qui pourrait substituer l\'usage des tiges. Une expérience sur terrain était conduite à Kachwekano près de la ville de Kabale pendant deux saisons : secondes pluies de 1996 (1996b) et premières pluies de 1997 (1997a), pour déterminer la densité de population des plantes appropriée (PPD) de maïs qui pourrait maximiser le rendement de haricot dans un système d\'inter culture. Les traitements étaient : (a) PPD de maïs s\'étendant de 25000 à 40000 plantes ha-1, et (b) PPD de haricot allant de 57142 à 95238 plantes ha-1. Seule les plantes de même nature étaient plantées à PPD recommandée de 44444 et 111111 plantes ha-1 pour le maïs et haricot respectivement. Le maïs mélangé était planté en lignes uniques de 1,0 m de distance. Deux lignes de haricot étaient plantées dans l\'espace entre les lignes de maïs, 10 jours après l\'emergemce du maïs. Les densités de plantes étaient atteintes en variant l\'espace entre lignes de 0,25 à 0,40 m pour le maïs et 0,30 à 0,50 pour le haricot. La PPD de maïs avait significativement affecté le rendement de haricot seulement durant les secondes pluies (1996b), probablement à cause d\'un régime humide favorable. La PPD de haricot a significativement affecté le rendement de maïs seulement durant les premières pluies (1997a), vraisemblablement à cause de la sècheresse. Le rendement le plus élevé de haricot en inter culture de 1,075t ha-1 était réalisé à partir d\'un mélange final de 24575 et 66666 plantes ha-1 de maïs et haricot respectivement, durant les secondes pluies. L\'inter culture a significativement réduit le rendement de maïs durant les secondes pluies et les rendements de haricot dans les deux saisons. Le système d\'inter culture avait un avantage de rendement de 26% (c. à.d, LER=1,26) sur les témoins purs des composantes des plantes durant les secondes pluies, vraisemblablement à cause de l\'usage des ressources complémentaires. Cependant, il n y avait pas des avantages de rendements observés durant les premières pluies probablement à cause de la sécheresse. La moyenne totale de revenus (IT) des de cultures mélangées était 226,8 et 31,8% élevée que le revenu des plantes d\'haricot seul et maïs seul respectivement, durant les secondes pluies. Le revenu des cultures mélangées était 58,7 et 72,5% élevé que le revenu des plantes de haricot seul et maïs seul respectivement, durant les premières pluies. Mots Clés: Proportion compétitive, proportion équivalente de terre, Phaseolus vulgaris, Ouganda, Zea mays African Crop Science Journal Vol. 13 (1) 2005: 83-9

Effect of intercropping maize and solanum potato on yield of the component crops in Central Uganda

Three potato (Solunum tuberosum) varieties and one maize variety were intercropped in six spatial arrangements, viz., sole crops, 2:1, 2:2, 1:1, 1:2 potato: maize row arrangements and one additive mixture. Intercropping influenced some growth parameters of potato but not of maize. For instance, the rate of potato stem extension and leaf formation rates were hastened by intercropping. Branching in potato influenced leaf area development, especially during the second season when the additive mixture supported the least leaf area. Potato yield differed significantly among the spatial arrangements with the highest yield in the sole crop followed closely by the 2:1 and 2:2 potato: maize mixtures. However, these yield differences depended on potato variety, with Kisoro being the most responsive to changes in spatial arrangement. Assessment of biological efficiency of intercropping using the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) method, revealed that yield advantages increased slightly with increase in the proportion of potato in the mixtures. However, it was only the additive mixture with a significant overall LER of 1.58, indicating a 58.2% yield advantage for intercropping. The contribution of maize to total LER was greatest in the 1:2 and additive mixtures. Key Words: Biological efficiency, inter-cropping, land equivalent ratio, Solanum tuberosum, spatial arrangement, yield advantage (African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(1): 83-96