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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 21, No. 7, 2021, pp. 8300-8318
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Bioline Code: nd21073
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 21, No. 7, 2021, pp. 8300-8318
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ASSESSMENT OF THE PRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE OF COWPEA [VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP]: CASES FROM SELECTED DISTRICTS OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
Tewodros, A; Melese, L & Yoseph, T
Abstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) is an important legume in the hot, dry tropics and
subtropics of sub-Saharan Africa, serving a multiple role for the livelihoods of millions
of relatively low-income people. The entire plant can be used for either human or
livestock consumption and with considerable drought-tolerating capacity. Tender
young leaves, green pods and matured seeds are used as human food. Moreover, the
crop serves for sustainable soil fertility improvement due to its excellent nitrogenfixing
capacity. However, its production and utilization are limited in Ethiopia partly
due to dependence on the conventional agronomic practices and lack of information on
its wide ranging uses. This study was conducted to assess the cowpea agronomy and
the contributions the crop has in the livelihoods of farmers at Loka-Abaya and Humbo
districts of Southern Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling techniques were employed to
achieve the set objectives. Both primary and secondary data were collected to solicit
the required information. The data were subjected to descriptive and inferential
statistics such as multiple linear regression model using the SPSS Software version 20
and STATA 13. Multiple linear regression model results showed that education, land
size, climate information access, credit access, lack of market chain, availability of seed
of improved varieties, and pests significantly (P<0.001) affected cowpea production in
the studied areas. The trend analysis showed that the cowpea yield and production area
coverage is increasing in Humbo District whereas, a decreasing trend was observed at
the Loka Abaya. According to the household interview data, about 76 % of the
respondents reported a decrease in the cultivated area of cowpea. According to the
respondents, lack of access to improved seed and lack of extension support services
contributed 79 % and 73 %, respectively to the low yield observed in the area. The
majority of the respondents cultivate cowpea as intercropping and rotation with cereals
and in the main field with the main purpose to replenish soil fertility (97 %). On the
other hand, 62 % of the respondents cultivate cowpea for home consumption.
According to the survey result, 48 % of the respondents use the matured grain for
consumption. The production trends of the cowpea are highly variable mainly due to
less attention paid by the extension systems to boost the yield of the crop, reliance of
farmers on local varieties, pest occurrence and poor market chain. Therefore, modern
production technologies including the supply of improved varieties of seed with their
full production package should be introduced to the area so as to improve the yield and
optimize its contribution towards achieving food security.
Keywords
Agronomy; Climate variability; Food security; Humbo; Loka-Abaya; Semi-arid
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