Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat

Enhancing Cowpea Productivity and
Production in Drought-Prone Areas of
Sub-Saharan Africa
Robert Abaidoo, Ousmane Boukar (IITA-Nigeria); Steven Boahen (IITA-Mozambique);Ousmane
Coulibaly (IITA-Benin); R. Bandyopadhyay, Christian Fatokun (IITA-Nigeria); L. Kumar (IITA-Nigeria);
Alpha Kamara, Saito Muranaka(IITA-Nigeria); Mamadou Touré (IER-Mali); Moutari Adamou
(INRAN-Niger); Mohammad Ishiyaku (IAR-Nigeria); Joseph Mligo (ARI-Tanzania)
Socio-Economics/Targeting
Summary
Grain legumes contribute to food security directly, as major sources of protein for the poor, but also
indirectly through income provision and enhancement of soil fertility. They have a unique role to play in
increasing productivity growth and decreasing prices by reduction of per unit cost of production. Grain
legumes contribute up to one-third of the dietary protein needs of the human population globally and
contain essential amino acids. Grain legumes are grown globally on 71.8 million hectares, with the bulk
of legumes produced for food. They are grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries where the majority
of the poor and malnourished live. The present report highlights the main results of key activities carried
out during the three years of research-for-development on cowpea within the framework of TL II project.
Gap and PVS analysis
The main objective was to assess the gaps between collaborating scientists, extension agents and farmers’
skills related to cowpea production and utilization in West, Eastern and Southern Africa. Surveys
were carried out with a set of questionnaires that were administered on scientists, extension agents,
farmers and other relevant key informants. The study concludes that cowpea is a key staple in the diet
of many households and has a significant potential for income if a conducive policy for input supply,
production and marketing are developed and implemented. A fragile and poorly defined relationship
was observed among stakeholders in cowpea innovation systems and value chains. Linkages need to be
developed and/or strengthened. Furthermore, a more focused approach and coordination of efforts of
all the stakeholders is needed to bridge these gaps, boost production and increase value addition and
ultimately increase food supply and income. Research is still needed to assess and quantify the actual
and potential impacts of the adoption of improved varieties of cowpea on farmers’ welfare, nutritional
status, gender relations, soil fertility improvement, and crop-livestock integration systems.
Cowpea outlook
Globally, an estimated 4.5 million MT of cowpea is produced annually on about 10 million hectares.
Africa accounts for about 84% of the global cowpea production, with over 85% of Africa’s share
produced in West Africa. With an estimated 57% share of the global cowpea production and about
60% of the production in Africa, Nigeria is the world’s largest producer (and consumer) of cowpea,
followed by Niger (17%) and Burkina Faso (7%). If past trends in cowpea area expansion and yields
continue into the future, global cowpea supply is projected to reach an estimated 9.8 million MT in
2020 and 12.3 million MT in 2030, against the projected global demand of nearly 8.5 million MT
in 2020 and 11.2 million MT in 2030. The baseline projections of cowpea supply and demand thus
show that, with historical area expansion and yield growth rates, cowpea production in WCA will
keep up with growing regional demand for cowpea due largely to increased demand in countries such
Progress of Phase 1
81