Dr. Lucky O. Omoigui |
The
University of Agriculture, Makurdi has successfully researched an early
maturing and high yielding cowpea cultivars as farmers in the state have given
positive testimony to the new improved technology through increased
productivity.
Food
farm news authoritatively gathered that the University of Agriculture, Makurdi
scientists have developed high yielding cowpea cultivars that are early
maturing (about 65 days) and medium maturing (about 75 days) and have consumer
preferred traits such as seeds size, seed coat texture and colour.
Speaking
to food-farm news, Dr. Lucky O.
Omoigui, Plant Breeder/Molecular Geneticist University of Agriculture Makurdi,
Nigeria, explained that the development was fast-tracked using molecular tools.
Dr.
Omoigui described the UAM developed cowpea as absolute resistant to two
parasitic weeds (Striga and Alectra Spp.) and other major diseases
and pests.
He
added that the developed cowpeas are well adapted to sole or intercropping
especially in the dry savannas of Nigeria where Striga and Alectra are
the major production constraints.
Following
this development of the cowpea cultivars which hitherto was only cultivated and
grown in the Northern parts of Nigeria, Dr. Omoigui expressed delight at the
high yields of these cultivars now which ranged from 1.9 tons to 2.4 per ha,
pointing out the successes recorded extensively in Benue and Jigawa States
where farmers adopted the newly developed varieties for cultivation.
Cowpea Farmer on the farm |
The
University DON disclosed that the seed delivery component of the TL3 project is
being piloted in five Local Government Areas of Benue State namely: Buruku,
Makurdi, Guma and Gboko.
According
to Dr. Omoigui, the project is a partnership with the International Institute
of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundations
and it is aimed at bringing about significant increases in yield of cowpea of
different classes among farmers, promote and strengthen seed/input marketer
through linkages to private seed companies, create awareness to
popularize the
improved stress-resistant cowpea cultivars and capacity building of the various
actor in the cowpea value chain. Consequently, there is a fast growing
populating among Benue Farmers in the cultivation and growth of cowpea in the
state.
When
Food-Farm News visited a number of
Farming communities in Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas, it was an
expression of Joy and satisfaction by the farmers.
At
Ucha Community in Makurdi Local Government Area, Mrs. Veronica Iorshav,
TerunduTerfa and Mr. Kor Aga James who were met working on their Farms
respectively, professed that the introduction of cowpea and improved soybeans
have reduced poverty among the farmers. The Farmers eulogized the enormous benefits
of cowpea farming to include finance and consumption of the beans by
cake-baking, moi-moi, porridge and ordinary cooking with just a little salt and
oil makes a meal.
The
farmers also commended the high yields of the newly developed variety which can
be planted three times in a season.
Food-Farm News also visited Ortese Community
in Guma Local Government Area where community based organization farmers was
working on a model farm. The farmers are taught on how to plant, apply
fertilizers and pesticides.
Dr.
Omoigui however lamented the lack of farm equipment such as tractors and other
farm implements for hiring as a real obstacle faced by farmers towards
expanding their production. He was collaborated by a cross section of farmers
spoken to who posited that manual labour farming using hoes and cutlasses do
not allow the crops to grow at once since land cannot be cleared and ploughed
simultaneously. They also stressed that manual farming limit them to what their
strength can carryout.
Mrs.
Joyce Nyiev and her husband Mr. Patrick Nyiev who were caught on their Farms in
Guma Local Government called on the Government of the day to provide farmers
with modern farming imputs like Tractors, Sprayers and employ Agricultural
extension workers to assist the farmers who are ready to boost food production
and increase their economic status.
The
UAM have in addition established a pilot learning farm at NYSC farm along
Makurdi – Lafia Road in Guma Local Government. Over 30 farmers are contracted
to work on the farm where 5 varieties of cowpea are planted. The farm provides
a basket of options where farmers are expected to learn and adopt the best out
of the five varieties. On this farm, techniques of fertilizer application,
spraying, property weeding and good crop management, spraying regime when to
spray and how to spray are being demonstrated for farmers to acquire.
The
farm is established as a foundation of seeds for distribution to farmers. Over
30 laborers work on the farm where not first employment is offered but farming
techniques imparted as well.
The
farm is a UAM – IITA partnership collaborative project Tropical Legume 3 (TL3)
and is funded by Bill and Melinda Gate foundation.
About
115 – 120 cowpea farmers have benefited this year across Makurdi, Guma, Buruku,
Gboko and parts of Ukum LGAs of Benue State.
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