Improving the Livelihoods of Farmers in Dry Regions of Africa via Development of High-Value Cowpea Varieties

摘要

There are various challenges facing agricultural development in Africa. One way of overcoming these challenges is through "value addition," which in turn could bolster the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and local consumers as well as activate local economies. Value addition amplifies the key characteristics or features of agricultural products, especially of locally and traditionally important crops that are well rooted in the regional culture, while retaining its role in activating production, marketing, and utilization. We at JIRCAS are focusing on cowpea, one of the most important traditional leguminous crops, for its tremendous potential to enhance food production and economic development especially in drier regions in Africa.Like legumes in general, cowpea — with its rich protein and micronutrient content — can supplement staple crops (cereals and tubers) in providing more nutritionally balanced diets in the region especially because of its high resilience to extremely unstable rainfall and low soil fertility conditions in the drier regions of Africa. It contributes greatly to food security and diet diversity of the African people. Cowpea plays an important role not only as a food crop and nutritional source, but also asa cash income source for the regions' small-scale farmers. According to FAO (2007-2009 data), cowpea generated an estimated 2 billion USD in annual revenue.