Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp.): Traditional and improved Cropping Methods in northern Nigeria

• Main Authors: Wim Sampers, Patrick Van Damme, Frans Pauwels
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gents Afrika Platform, Afrika Brug 1986-02-01
• Series: Afrika Focus
• Online Access: https://ojs.ugent.be/AF/article/view/6617

The present article describes the traditional cowpea cropping system in Dambatta, Kano State, Nigeria. Through a baseline survey it becomes clear that traditionally cowpea is mostly intercropped with cereals, that the importance of land preparation is marginal, that yields are low and that, in general, the technical level of the cowpea grower is low (low inputs of fertilizer and pesticide). In a second part some data are given about a project that introduced a new cowpea variety, T.V.X.-3.236, and improved methods. It is shown that, although better yields are possible, the extension service does not succeed in motivating the farmers enough so that the outcome of the project intervention is uncertain. KEYWORDS : Vigna unguiculata, cowpea, Nigeria, extension.