Cowpea cropping systems, traits preference and production constraints in the upper west region of Ghana: farmers' consultation and implications for breeding

Abstract

Background Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is used primarily as food for humans and feed for animals. It is also used for soil management within a cropping system. However, cowpea production is confronted with numerous challenges. As such farmers and consumers alike have certain preferences in terms of production and utilization. This present study investigated cowpea cropping systems, traits preference and production constraints among farmers in the Nandom, Lambusie and Lawra districts in the northern part of the Upper West Region of Ghana. A total of 306 farming households were sampled from the 3 chosen districts. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. The IBM SPSS software, version 22, was employed to analyze the data using descriptive statistics, specifically frequencies, percentages and crosstabulations. Results The study’s results indicated that a majority (58.5%) of the cowpea farmers practice intercropping, whereas a minority (41.5%) practice sole cropping. The farmers intercropped cowpea with maize, millet, sorghum and yam. Farmers preferred cowpea varieties with the following traits: high yield, drought tolerance, early maturing, pest resistance, improve soil fertility, high price, high demand, better taste, less cooking time, storage quality, palatability and fast growing. Farmers indicated that susceptibility to storage pests, high pest incidence, late maturity, difficulty in harvesting, high input cost, small grain size, low yield, high disease incidence, poor colour, lack of improved variety, and drought are some constraints that hinder cowpea production. Conclusion Results indicate a need for behavioural change communication to assist cowpea farmers to adopt improved and appropriate cropping systems. Farmers should be involved in cowpea technology development in order to understand their preferences and constraints to enable subsequent adoption of such technologies. The results from this study call for an interdisciplinary committee to plan and breed cowpea varieties that meet the needs of the farmers.

Gender trait preferences among smallholder cowpea farmers in northern Ghana: lessons from a case study

“…According to Tiwari et al (2022) , this includes matching breeding goals to product performance for each segment of end-users or market. The finding from the study that drought tolerance, short cooking times and pest resistance ( Table 2 ) were preferred by both men and women is consistent with that of Karikari et al (2023) . Karikari et al (2023) found that farmers in the Upper West region of Ghana preferred cowpea traits that are drought tolerant, pest resistant and short cooking time.…”

“…The finding from the study that drought tolerance, short cooking times and pest resistance ( Table 2 ) were preferred by both men and women is consistent with that of Karikari et al (2023) . Karikari et al (2023) found that farmers in the Upper West region of Ghana preferred cowpea traits that are drought tolerant, pest resistant and short cooking time. The implication is that cowpea farmers are adapting to climate change and variability through the choices they make regarding trait preference.…”

“…As observed in Table 2 , most farmers selected grain yield (83.33%), but was preferred by slightly more women (87%) than men (79%). Similar studies have consistently found preference for high grain yield among cowpea farmers (e.g., Rabé et al, 2022 ; Karikari et al, 2023 ; Moussa et al, 2023 ). These studies ( Rabé et al, 2022 ; Karikari et al, 2023 ; Moussa et al, 2023 ), however, assumed preference for traits among producers and end-users to be gender-blind, therefore did not consider trait preferences for both men and women.…”

“…Similar studies have consistently found preference for high grain yield among cowpea farmers (e.g., Rabé et al, 2022 ; Karikari et al, 2023 ; Moussa et al, 2023 ). These studies ( Rabé et al, 2022 ; Karikari et al, 2023 ; Moussa et al, 2023 ), however, assumed preference for traits among producers and end-users to be gender-blind, therefore did not consider trait preferences for both men and women. From the study, the finding that more women preferred pods that grow above the canopy for the reason that such cowpea are easier to harvest confirms ( Ridgeway, 2009 ; Sylla et al, 2023 ) that gender relations fit into social structures that define agricultural tasks.…”