Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Vol. 5(1), pp. 14-20, January 2013 Available online at http:// academicjournals.org/JAERD DOI: 10.5897/JAERD12.118 ISSN 2141-2154 ©2013 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Farmers’ key production constraints and traits desired in cowpea in

K. F. Egbadzor*, M. Yeboah, S. K. Offei, K. Ofori and E. Y. Danquah

West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, College of Agriculture and consumer Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana.

Accepted 6 December, 2012

A survey was conducted in three southern districts of the of Ghana and Agbogbloshie market in to ascertain current production constraints faced by farmers and consumers’ desired traits of cowpea. There were two focus group discussions, one in and the other at Ketu North District. A total of 180 farmers, 45 food vendors, 30 seed dealers and 80 cowpea traders were interviewed. The interviewees were made up of 226 females and 109 males. Data were classified and analyzed with SAS 9.2 and results presented in tables and graphs. It was realized that most of the cowpea found in the markets at the time of this study were imported from different countries within the West Africa sub-region. Farmers normally sell their products at farm gate at the time of harvest. Preference for cowpea with cream large seeds which is sweet and easy to cook among Ghanaian consumers has not changed. Constraints to cowpea farming identified were similar to those known elsewhere: Including insect pests, diseases, drought, cyperus spp. as weed and harvesting difficulty.

Key words: Cowpea, constraints, desired traits, insect pests, drought.

INTRODUCTION

Cowpea is the second most important food legume in and Diao, 2007). The inability of Ghana to produce Ghana. It is second to groundnut in terms of area under enough cowpea to feed the citizenry is multi-faceted. The cultivation, quantity produced and consumed annually. Guinea Savanna zone of Ghana is the major cowpea The area under cowpea cultivation in Ghana peaked in production area in the country (Al-Hassan and Diao, the year 2003 with 190,400 ha (MOFA, SRID, 2011). 2007). For paradigm, Upper West and Northern regions However, there have been slight reductions in the area produced 75,969 and105, 841 MT respectively in 2010 under cowpea cultivation from then to 163,700 ha in (MOFA, SRID, 2011). Unfortunately, production can be 2010. Despite the decline in area, total cowpea grain done only within a short period in the year in these production per annum has increased from 142,300 MT in regions because of long period of drought. Another major 2004 to 219,300 MT in 2010. This is an indication of factor that may be affecting the production and higher yields which may be due to adoption of consumption of cowpea in Ghana could be varietal combination of factors including better agronomic preference (Langyintuo et al., 2003). Ghanaians are practices and higher yielding varieties. known to prefer cream seeded cowpea (Quaye et al., Cowpea consumption is higher than production in 2009). Ghana. There was import of 3,380 MT of cowpea grains Production of cowpea with consumer preferred grain which supplemented the country’s production of 219,300 type could boost its cultivation in Ghana. The improved MT in 2010. This is however, a tremendous improvement cowpea varieties under cultivation in the country were over the deficit of 1990 which was 113,000 MT (Al-Hassan mostly released by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) institutions. CSIR – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) released a number of varieties but mainly recommended for the Guinea *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. savanna zone (Padi et al., 2004). The most popular Egbadzor et al. 15

Table 1. Pair-wise ranking of preferred traits of cowpea during focus group discussions.

Traits Coat colour Wholeness Seed size Sweetness Easy to cook Score Rank Avenorpedo(n = 24) Coat colour ------Wholeness Seed size Sweetness Easy to cook 0 5 Wholeness ------Seed size Wholeness Easy to cook 2 2 Seed size ------Sweetness Easy to cook 2 2 Sweetness ------Easy to cook 2 2 Easy to cook ------5 1 Ohawu(n = 16) Coat colour ------Wholeness Seed size Sweetness Easy to cook 0 5 Wholeness Wholeness Sweetness Easy to cook 2 3 Seed size ------Sweetness Easy to cook 1 4 Sweetness ------Sweetness 4 1 Easy to cook ------3 2

breeder released cowpea variety in cultivation in Ghana Questionnaires were administered in Ho Municipality (Volta is “Asontem”, a variety developed by the International Region) and Agbogbloshie market in Accra in addition to Ketu North Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and introduced in and Akatsi. Ho municipality is in the North West direction to Akatsi with Adaklu-Anyigbe district in-between them. Agbogbloshie is a Ghana by the CSIR – Crop Research Institute (CRI) in very large market in Accra where a lot of foodstuff is sold including 1984 (Asafo-Adjei et al., 2005). Limitation of Asontem cowpea. may be its red seed coat. “Nhyira” is another popular cowpea variety released by CRI. Although Nhyira has cream seed coat, its seeds are small and not attractive to Respondents consumers just like cultivar Ayiyi (Asafo-Adjei and Singh, Interaction was made with a total of 375 individuals. Thirteen men 2005), Asetenapa and Bengpla. The most preferred, and and 11 women participated in the focus group discussion at consequently, imported grain types of cowpea are large Avenorpedo while that of Ohawu was 10 men and 6 women. Sixty and cream coloured. “Nigerien Cowpea” (Langyintuo et farmers each were interviewed in Akatsi, Ketu North, and Ho. The al., 2004), cultivars for example, are not normally grown farmers at Akatsi were made up of 36 men and 24 women. There in Ghana. were 28 men to 32 women and 40 men to 20 women at Ketu North and Ho respectively. Ten cowpea seed dealers and 15 food Currently, cowpea production on the coastal belt of vendors from each of the 3 districts were also interviewed. In Ghana is subsistence, with only pockets of commercial addition, a total of 80 cowpea traders, were interviewed from the 3 production, although, the demand for the crop in the districts and Agbogbloshie market. Only one seed dealer from region is high. Knowledge on quality or consumer Akatsi and 2 each from Ho and Ketu North were females, however, preference of product and constrains to production would all the food vendors and cowpea traders were females. help in developing acceptable varieties for cultivation in a given locality. It is important to diagnose the consumer Data collection and analysis preference and the reason(s) for the shortfall in produc- tion which warrants importation of cowpea to the coastal Different strategies were employed in data collection including savanna zone of Ghana. The survey therefore inquired telephone calls, informal contacts as well as planned interviews. about: The respective district agricultural officers were very instrumental in identifying qualified respondents notwithstanding, by random sampling. Interview guide was used for focus group discussion at 1. The desirable end use traits of cowpea the two sites. Questionnaires were administered to individual 2. The major setbacks hampering cowpea cultivation in respondents at various locations. Results recorded in excel were the coastal savanna of Ghana imported into SAS 9.2 and analyzed using nonparametric statistics and summarized into averages, frequencies or percentages and shown in tables and graphs. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study site RESULTS

Focus group discussion was conducted at Avenorpedo and Ohawu Priority traits of cowpea in the Akatsi and Ketu North districts respectively in the Volta Region of Ghana. is located between latitude 6°S – 7°N and 0° W – 1°E and shares boundary with Ketu North to the Pair wise ranking of grain coat colour, wholeness, size, east which also shares boundary with the Republic of to its sweetness and ease of cooking (Table 1) was done to east. important on cowpea grain. 16 J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev.

Figure 1. Most suitable cowpea types for different meals.

Constraints to cowpea cultivation Grain problems reported by food vendors

Five constraints at Avenorpedo and four at Ohawu were Foreign materials, mould, rot and weevils were reported identified and ranked. Three top constraints namely, by the food vendors as problems, however, the drought, insect pests attack and cyperus infestation were significance of each differs from district to district (Figure identified at the two locations of the PRA. Mould and 2). Mould was the most reported problem at Akatsi as problem of preservation were additionally mentioned at against foreign materials and weevils at Ho and Ketu Avenorpedo while only harvesting problem was added to North respectively the three at Ohawu. These means a total of six problems were mentioned. Preferred seed size by cowpea traders

Most grown cowpea varieties in Akatsi, Ho and Ketu- Large seeded cowpeas are preferred to smaller and North districts medium sizes across the four markets of the survey.

It was quite clear that same variety has different names from locality to another while different varieties were also Traits to improve on cowpea called same name in some cases like ‘Black eye’. Over all, the most grown varieties are Black eye and Awakli. In Cowpea seed dealers perceive that the most important Akatsi district the most grown is Awakli while the number traits to be improved on current varieties of cowpea are of farmers who grow Dapango most was equal to that of insect pest resistance, drought tolerant and yield. Awakli in Ketu North. Black eye is the most grown in Ho. Five different varieties are among the most grown in Akatsi and Ketu North while only two are the most grown DISCUSSION in Ho. Constraints to cowpea production

Most suitable cowpea types for different meals Farmers’ perceived most limiting factor to cowpea cultivation differ from one district to the other as well as Most food vendors prefer white coat cowpea to any other for individual farmers. A number of limitations were types (Figure 1). identify which of these traits farmers consider most men- Foreign materials, mould, rot and weevils were reported tioned, the most of which was insect pests attack in all the Egbadzor et al. 17

Figure 2. Grain problems reported by food vendors from different districts.

districts (Table 3). In Ho in particular, the respondents especially for red type beans. According to farmers, red believe that insect pests and diseases are the most type beans do not cook well when stored for long period. important constraints to cowpea cultivation. Insect pests Storability is also a problem because of storage insect are known to be major constraint to cowpea production in pests especially for cream seeded beans. Closely related Africa (Adipala et al., 2000; Asante et al., 2001; Makoi et to storability is mould problem identified by some farmers. al., 2010) and other regions where the crop is cultivated Mould is also related to delay harvesting particularly (Jackai, 1986). Farmers in this study area confirmed when it keeps raining after pod ripening. Farmers who insect pests attack as a big problem to them. There were stated labour problem as a big limitation explained that few farmers who thought that although insect pests are obtaining enough labour especially during harvesting time problem, they can deal with them better than other is a problem. Processing difficulty can also be linked with problems such as drought and Cyperus spp. that of harvesting. Quite a number of farmers at Akatsi believe that Keenly debated issue was Cyperus spp. Although, all drought is one of the most limiting factors to cowpea the farmers identified it as a problem, some believe that cultivation, although, cowpea is a short season crop with good management by spraying before sowing of the relatively high drought tolerant ability (Muchero et al., cowpea seeds and early weeding control the weed 2009). Drought may be serious problem as the coastal significantly. It could be concluded that insect pests is the savannah of Ghana is generally known to receive just a most important constraints to cowpea cultivation in this little rainfall. Drought as stated by the farmers causes study area followed by drought. delay planting of cowpea and other crops in the area. Although, the number of people who mentioned limitations other than insect pests were not many, they Preferred traits of cowpea were very passionate about their perceived constraints. These other constraints may also complicate insect pest Easy to cook was the most important trait to consider in problems, example being drought reported by Abdel-Galil choosing cowpea for cultivation and consumption et al. (2007). Most of the other limitations relate to grain according to the focus group at Avenorpedo. Almost quality. Storability as mentioned by some farmers could everyone of the group agreed that once a variety takes be a great limitation to cowpea cultivation. There are long time to cook, it may not be accepted in the area. different dimensions to the problem of storability. First of Colour does not matter in choosing cowpea variety, all, because of lack of appropriate storage methods and however, it was discovered that apart from one local facility, farmers are compelled to sell their produce early variety called Avakli, the leading varieties for commercial after harvest although the prices are generally low at that purposes in the area are cream coated. time. Another dimension of storability problem is reported Unlike Avenorpedo, sweetness was the most important 18 J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev.

Table 2. Pair-wise ranking of preferred coatcolour of cowpea at both Avenorpedo and Ohawu,

Colour Black Brown Mottle Cream Red Score Rank Black ------Brown Mottle Cream Red 0 5th Brown ------Mottle Cream Red 1 4th Mottle ------Cream Red 2 3 Cream ------Cream 4 1st Red ------3 2nd

Results were the same at both sites of the Participatory Rural Appraisal.

Table 3. Farmers’ perceived limitations to cowpea production.

District Limitation Akatsi (n = 59) Ho (n =60) Ketu North (n=60) Total (n = 179) Diseases 3 (5.1) 15 (25) 3 (5) 21 (11. 7) Mould 0 0 2 (3.3) 2 (1.1) Insect pests 28 (47.5) 37 (63.3) 50 (83.3) 115 (64. 2) Taste 0 0 1 (1.7) 1(0.6) Beetle 1 (1.7) 0 0 1(0.6) Difficult to cook 0 0 1 (1.7) 1(0.6) Drought 24 (40.7) 0 2 (3.3) 26 (14.5) Excess vegetation 0 0 1 (1.7) 1(0.6) Labour 1 (1.7) 0 0 1(0.6) Processing 1 (1.7) 7 (11.7) 0 8 (4.5) Storage 1 (1.7) 1 (11.7) 0 2 (1.1) Total 59 60 60 179 (100)

Percentage of respondents from a district in bracket: one respondent refused to answer this question at Akatsi.

trait to consider in cowpea according to the focus group mottle is very nutritious and stores better after harvest. at Ohawu. The second most important trait was easy to This Awakli is the only non cream coated variety grown cook. The finding for colour was similar to that of on large scale in the area. Avenorpedo. Farmers’ notion on high nutrient usually means high protein. A research conducted by Alayande et al. (2012) revealed that a brown type variety had more crude Preferred cowpea seed coat colour protein than a white type. It may not be appropriate to use that result for all white and brown varieties: more In prioritizing traits, colour was not ranked high during the samples should be compared before the generalization. focus group discussions. However, most of the varieties However, the claim of the farmers and that of Alayande et grown as well as marketed throughout the surveyed al. (2012) warrant further investigation. areas have cream seed coat. This agrees with Majority of traders interviewed in Agbogbloshie, Akatsi, Langyintuo et al. (2004) that nearly all cowpeas sold in Ho and markets responded to prefer white grain. Ghana and Cameroon markets are white. The colour and Although, all the traders in Accra and Ho preferred white seed size preference in cowpea identified by Dovlo grains, two each from Akatsi and Dzodze do not have (1975) and Drabo et al. (1984) have not changed (Table any preference and one in Dzodze stated mottle. Traders’ 2). All the farmers interviewed in Ho stated that they preference is in line with that of food vendors and prefer cream seeded cowpea grains to any other colour. farmers. Most of the cowpeas observed during the survey Although, the majority of respondents in both Akatsi and were white as well. Ketu North also prefer cream seeds some had divergent views on cowpea seed coat colour. One third of the respondents in Ketu North prefer mottle type of cowpea Most suitable cowpea types for different meals to any other colour including cream. The preference was explained that their local variety, Awakli which is brown Response from vendors of four different food types of Egbadzor et al. 19

Table 4. Sources of cowpea grains at various markets.

Market Source Agbogbloshie Akatsi Ho Dzodze Total Akatsi 0 2 (10) 0 5 (25) 7 Own farm 0 0 0 4 (20) 4 Togo 0 18 (90) 20 (100) 11 (55) 49 W Africa 20 (100) 0 0 0 20 Total 20 20 20 20 80

Percentage of respondents from market in brackets.

cowpea indicated that white grains are more suitable for Traits to improve on existing cowpea varieties in their meals in the exception of ayikple. Ayikple is a presumption of seed dealers traditional food for Ewes. This meal is no longer common and according to the vendor, she prepares this food Seed dealers mentioned a number of traits that they think during the harvesting season of cowpea. This was the should be improved upon in cowpea. Three most only vendor of ayikple interviewed. The opinion of just important of these traits according to the interviewees are one respondent may not be good enough to make insect pest resistance, yield and drought tolerance. This judgment. The earlier revelation that the farmers of Akatsi agrees with what was discovered with farmers. and Ketu North prefer mottle cowpeas for their own consumption may be strengthened by the attestation of the ayikple vendor for her preference of mottle grains for Sources of cowpea grains at various markets her trade. This is partly due to the fact that the people believe that Awakli is more nutritious than the white No trader obtained her goods from a single source. In all grains and part due to the traditional nature ofayikple. the markets, it was evident that most of the cowpeas at One vendor of waakye also believes that all types of the time were imported from different countries such as cowpea are good for her trade. Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger (Table 4). It has All borbor sellers believe that the white grain cowpeas been reported that Ghana imports cowpea from Mali and are better for their trade. Further investigation revealed Cote d’Ivoire also (Langyintuo et al., 2003). At the time of that they prefer the white grain because they are mostly the survey (May, 2012), none of the traders at softer and cook faster. Borbor in Ewe means soft. Borbor Agbogbloshie and Ho had supplies from Ghana. Few is cooked beans usually eaten with gari. The full name is traders stated having bought their supplies from Akatsi ayiborbor which means soft beans. Some of the borbor (Ghana) in Akatsi and Ketu North. dealers were asked the reason for choosing white over Although a lot of cowpea is produced at Akatsi and red as the borbor which is called red-red by some people Ketu North, they are sold at the farm gate just after in Ghana is eaten with red palm oil therefore the name. harvest. This situation can be attributed to demand and The response in all cases was that the red types are not supply scenario. Traders have to buy from other markets as soft as the white types. Akla (Kose) dealers also prefer off season to Akatsi like other locations. Most of the white grains to other types but with different reason. Akla supplies were from Togo in all of the markets. However, sellers use white grains because they are easier to they might not be from Togo farmers but bought from process. different countries. Most traders were also able to point varieties from these countries as they called them by the country’s name. Because of variation in the planting Preferred seed size season and demand and supply issues, cowpea like any other commodity can be moved from one country to the Response to the question on preferred seed size of other in the West African sub-region. It would however be cowpea was one sided. Traders in cowpea grains important to investigate the quantum of cowpea that is whether for food or seed prefer larger grains to smaller imported or exported from Ghana. ones supporting Langyintuo et al. (2004). Farmers and food vendors also prefer larger grains. Cowpea consumers in Ghana are ready to pay premium for larger Conclusion grains just like many other West African countries as reported by Mishili et al. (2007).Improving the size of a Interaction with farmers in Ho, Ketu North and Akatsi given variety would therefore enhance its patronage districts of the Volta region of Ghana revealed that a lot of provided other traits remain same. cowpea is produced in these areas. These grains are 20 J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev.

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