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
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