UAM develops high yielding and early maturing cowpea, farmers count blessings

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. Lucky Omoigui who took Food-farm news on the tour explained that the import was to contract growers to seed companies for distribution to member farmers.

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.