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Needs assessment of cowpea
production practices, constraints and utilization in South
Africa
Asiwe, J. A. N.
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)-Grain Crops
Institute, Private Bag X1251, Potchefstroom 2520, South
Africa. E-mail:
AsiweJ@arc.agric.za.
Fax: +27 18 294 7146.
Accepted
18 September, 2009 |
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Cowpea is an important grain legume. Research and production
of cowpea have been neglected in South Africa in the last
three decades due to lack of funding and interest of
researchers to work on the improvement of the crop. The
consequence of these are that cultivated varieties are
unimproved and the lack of knowledge of good agronomic
practices worsen the limitations to cowpea production. In
order to ascertain the extent of these problems and
determine the needs of farmers, a baseline survey was
conducted among cowpea production provinces of South Africa
(Limpopo, Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga) between 2004 and
2006 cropping seasons. Questionnaires were administered
among farmers in co-operative societies. Data were collected
on cropping systems, cultural practices, yield levels,
constraints to production and utilization. Responses
obtained from farmers were analysed using non-parametric or
descriptive statistics. The data was summarised into
averages, percentages or ranges. Results identified major
production practices, importance and constraints to cowpea
production in the provinces. The results form a useful
pathway for needs towards the development of well-tailored
breeding objectives to improve cowpea production in South
Africa.
Key words:
Cowpea, crop improvement, crop mixture, cropping systems,
grain yield, limpopo, pests. |
