Experiences of Publishing:Local vs. International Journals

Abukutsa Mary Oyiela Onyango (Ph.D)Professor of Horticulture

Department of Horticulture: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology(JKUAT)-Kenya

mabukutsa@yahoo.com

Open Access Africa, Kenyatta University conference centre, Nairobi, Kenya-10 th and 11th November 2010

Outline of Presentation• Objectives• Introduction• Overview of Research Activities• Publications and Communications • Local vs International Journals• Other Publications• Challenges in Publishing• Benefits of publishing• Conclusions and Recommendations• Acknowledgement

Objectives

• Present an overview of my Research

Activities in my discipline (Horticulture)

• Share my experiences in publishing in Journals and other communications of scientific information

Introduction

Young Kenyans:Yearning for Knowledge

Introduction

Horticulture

• Horticulture is a Rich & Colourful Discipline

• Ornamental plants, Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables

• Indigenous Horticultural Plants: New niche

• Vegetables

Diversity of Vegetables

Role of Horticulture

• Horticulture has grown to become the most vibrant forex earner and employer in Africa

• In Kenya about 20% of Horticulture produce is exported (2008-74 billion KShs)

• Nutrition and Health Benefits

• Beauty and Aesthetics

• Indigenous crops are undervalued and sold in domestic markets

• The demand is largely dissatisfied

African Indigenous Vegetables

Spiderweed - Spiderplant

Pigweed- Vegetable amaranths

• Largely marginalized

• Positioned as weeds as reflected in their names

Black jackA delicacy in Zambia

Food security and Nutrition• Half the population in Africa live on < $1 a day• Most Malnourished people in Africa• Hunger, Malnutrition and Poor Health• About 5.6m people are Food insecure in Kenya • 50% of under fives are malnourished• Iron deficiency Anaemia Prevalent• The Paradox – Africa Endowed with

Horticultural biodiversity (AIVs)

Repositioning of Marginalized Crops

• How can we make a case for marginalised Crops that could play a pivotal role in alleviating poverty, hunger and diseases in Africa?

• What is the role of Research?• How do we communicate research findings to

all stakeholders?• What is the role and importance of

publishing? Why Publish?• How, where and what to publish?• Whom are we targeting?

Overview of Research Activities

African indigenous Vegetables• High Nutritive Value-Micro-nutrient dense• High content of anti-oxidants• Medicinal value and Health benefits• Well Adapted to local conditions• Several Agronomic Advantages• Income generation potential• Their potential has not been exploited– Neglect, Stigmatization– Lack of awareness– Lack of Quality seed– Inadequate research and Technical information

Goal and aim of the programInitiated in early 1990.s

Contribute to alleviation of poverty food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty in Kenya and other African countries by raising the status of AIVs

Promote sustainable Production and utilization of African indigenous vegetables

Priority AIVs in Kenya

U & PU NairobiU & PU NairobiNightshadeNightshadeAmaranthAmaranthCowpeasCowpeasSpiderplantSpiderplant

U & PU KisumuU & PU KisumuCowpeasCowpeasSpiderplantSpiderplantNightshadeNightshadeSlenderleafSlenderleafJute MallowJute MallowPumpkinPumpkin

Priority AIVs E.Africa

s

UgandaUgandaAmaranthsAmaranthsNightshadeNightshadeCowpeasCowpeas

KenyaKenyaNightshadeNightshade

CowpeasCowpeasSpiderplantSpiderplantSlenderleafSlenderleaf

PumpkinPumpkinJute MallowJute MallowTanzaniaTanzania

CowpeasCowpeasAmaranthAmaranthPumpkinPumpkin

Priority AIVs in Africa

Southern Africa: Amaranth, okra, spiderplant pumpkin, v cowpea

West Africa: Amaranth, A. eggplant, Jute mallow Okra, Sweet potato leaves

East Africa: Amaranth, cowpea, Pumpkin, Jute mallow, Nightshade

Nutrition and Economic Potential

Vegetable Cowpea(Vigna unguiculata)

Spiderplant(Cleome gynandra)

African nightshade(Solanum scabrum)

Vegetable amaranths(Amaranthus blitum)

Slenderleaf(Crotalaria ochroleuca)

African kale(Brassica carinata)

Other Research Activities •Germplasm collection and evaluationGermplasm collection and evaluation•Seed bulking, Processing and PackagingSeed bulking, Processing and Packaging•Characterization of AIVsCharacterization of AIVs•Agronomic studiesAgronomic studies

•

• Advocacy and Outreach

• Capacity building– Undergraduate and post graduate

students

– Farmers and CBOs

– Policy makers

• Dissemination

Other ActivitiesOther Activities

Leaflets & DVDLeaflets & DVD

Development of DisseminationDevelopment of DisseminationMaterials Materials

Impacts and Effects of Research

1.Quality seed1.Quality seed2.Leaflets2.Leaflets

3. Good crop for farmers3. Good crop for farmers

4. Availability & 4. Availability & ConsumptionConsumption

5.Products5.Products

6. A healthy Nation

Publications and Communications

Summary of Publications and Communications

Category of Publications and channels of Communications

Approximate numbers

1. Public Lectures 1

2. Theses 2

3. Books and Book chapters 5

4. Dissemination Leaflets 10

5. Technical Reports 10

6. Technical Books and Booklets 10

7. Magazine and Newspaper articles 12

8. Audio and Videos (Documentary, Radio, TV) 10

9. Scientific refereed conference papers 40

10. Scientific refereed Scientific Journal Papers 35

Total 135 (10% in International Journals)

Local Vs International Journals

Categories of Journals Category Approximate numbers1. University run Journals 2

2. African Journals 10

3. Open Access Journals 5

4. International Journals 5

LESS THAN 10% OF MY WORK PUBLISHED IN INTERNATIONAL JOURNALS

Examples of Journals Category Operator/Comments1. Maseno Journal of Education, Arts and Science Maseno University**

2. Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology JKUAT**

3. Discovery and Innovation African Academy of Science

4. East African Agriculture and Forestry Journal KARI**

5. Journal of food Technology in Africa -

6. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development

ROP-Open access journal***

7. African Journal of Food Science

8. Acta Horticulturae ISHS

9. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology David publishing Co

10. Scientia Horticulturae, EUPHYTICA/UoN Press Attempts to publish not successful

Other Publications and Communications

• Leaflets and brochures

• Oral-Media-Song, Dance and Drama

• Print Media.

• Technical Reports

• Exhibitions and Shows

Publications and CommunicationsPublications and Communications

Challenges in Publishing

Some Challenges experienced

•Rejection of my articles and manuscripts•Delays in having articles published•Rejection on the basis of where the research was done•Rejection on the basis of Topic not good for wider readership•Publication fees not affordable•Local Journals not having adequate capacity and resources and distribution

Benefits of Publishing

Some Benefits Experienced•Dissemination of Information to end users•Knowledge and Information Sharing•Increased Reference Materials for Scholars and Researchers•Information and knowledge for Development•Visibility of Scholars and Researchers•Professional Advancement•Invitations to conferences as key note speaker•Recognition and Rewards

Recognitions and awards

1. KARI-1998 2.CGIAR-2007 3. Gender and Diversity-2009

4. CTA/FARA/RUFORUM-2009-African Woman Scientist Competition-1st Prize 5.RUFORUM IMPRESSA Prize- July 2010-3rd Position6. AU Woman Scientist-Earth and Life Sciences EA region- 1st Position

Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions •Scientific Research findings must be effectively communicated to the public for impact•Publications are beneficial to the researcher, readers and public at large•Researchers and scholars should make efforts to publish in open access/local and international journals•Researchers should partner with other stakeholders to repackage information to suit diverse readership•Deliberate efforts should be made and strategies put in place to encourage scholars and researchers to publish in open access/international journals

Conclusions and Recommendations•High Impact Journals should reconsider what Impact really means-How much of the published material is accessible to the end user and having impact•Publication of diverse, accessible, appropriate and user friendly scientific must play its pivotal role to solve the African problems of poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition•Open access will contribute immensely in this endevour to reach•Knowledge will drive the economies of countries, continents and the world-Capacity building in knowledge management

Acknowledgement

Open Access Africa BioMed Central

Ahsante Sana

Thank youDankenshe

Muchas graciasMuito obrigadoMerci beaucoup