Grain Legumes and Green Manures for Soil Fertility in ... - cimmyt

few of the farmers interviewed acquire cowpea seed
from approved seed dealers and the local market
for retained seed is not organized. This leads to reduced
areas ,under cowpea and other legumes. The
high percentage of farmers who rely on retained
seed posses a problem in seed availability and viability.
The viability of seed depends on the storage
conditions under which the bean is stored. These
post harvest storage facilities have not been developed
in the smallholder farming sector resulting in
limited storage, fast loss of quality seed and small
quantities that can be stored at anyone time. The
use of inferior cowpea varieties could also have
caused reduced areas under their cultivation. Most
farmers grew the spreading type of cowpea and had
retained seed used over long periods. Over time, the
vigor of the seed could have declined causing reduction
in the potential yield. As observed by Franzel
and Scherr (2002), some cropping systems function
below their potential productivity because of
using poorly adapted species, varieties and management
practices.
The current poor market structures for cowpea do
not warrant investment in proper fertilization, use
of pesticides and other planned agronomic practices
on the crops. The economics of cowpea beyond barter
trade need to be explored to include organized
national markets as well as export markets. Such a
development would enhance the direct and indirect
financial benefits of cowpea to farmers. Promoting
other products from cowpea of dietary, direct and
indirect monetary importance creates a market for
the legume.
Pests and diseases. In this study, pest and diseases
on cowpea were not regarded by farmers as a major
constraint to production. The suggested solutions to
pests showed that those that have grown cowpea
know about them in general and that the occurrences
have not been large enough to reduce the
yields by economic margins. Several options followed
by farmers need to be refined and avoid the
wait-for-rains strategy which could reduce yiel:is to
below economic levels. The use of Surf and ash solutions
has been documented through the experiences
shared by farmers in Shurugwi. Use of uncertified
seed produced without inspection could be
one way in which there has been a build up of diseases
over the years (Madamba, 2002). The implications
Of pest build up with increased area under
cowpea also need to be looked at. Practicing rotation
can always break the disease cycles.
Gender in cowpea production. Whilst it is widely
agreed that women are overall responsible for
growing cowpea and other legumes for the family,
they are faced with serious knowledge limitations
on 'sustainable agronomic practices with these
crops. Women make decisions on the area to which
the legumes are cultivated since they are the ones
who keep and know the quantities of seed available
for these crops. Very few received training or advice
on cowpea production from extension agents. Most
legumes are labeled as women crops in all the communal
areas visited though labour to work on fields
with legumes is provided by the whole family. The
implications of this are that cowpea production becomes
low priority, is perceived as a non-cash generating
activity and' hence no fertilizers or fertility
practices are targeted towards its production. However,
the farmers who use legumes for consumption
and local trade ranked them as highly important in
improving the livelihoods and food security of the
household at particular times of the year. For the
effective and wide production of these legumes, the
myths and beliefs around their production present a
challenge. Since gender is central to their production,
there is need for a partieipatory 'degenderization'
of the commonly grown legumes.
Research and development of such crops have
lagged behind too much compared to what are referred
to as men crops or cash crops like maize, tobacco
and cotton.
Conclusion
The potential of cowpea to improve soil fertility and
household food security and income was high. Most
farmers intercropped cowpea with maize. The area
put under legumes in the three areas ranged from
insignificant to small portions of the farm. Farmers
acknowledged the role of cowpea in soil fertility
used in both rotations and intercrops. However, no
planrted fertilization practices on cowpea were followed
by farmers.
The cowpea product chain was undeveloped in Chihota,
Shurugwi and Zimuto. The current utilization
of cowpea was mainly through four simple dishes
in the form of porridge, relish (bean and leaves) and
boiled bean (mutakura). Farmers incorporated some
of the residues while some were fed to livestock.
There is therefore need for diversification through
the utilization of more products. Traditional crops
have been recommended as part of the diet for people
suffering from HIV / AIDS, and cowpea could
find a place in some of these diets. Seed availability
was a major problem to farmers with the majority
using retained seed. Varieties suited for the different
agro-ecological zones need to be studied to improve
grain and non-grain biomass production of
cowpea. The area under cultivation needs to be
properly fertilized for both rotations and intercrops.
Seed availability and markets of the cowpea need to
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