Sustainable Intensification of Dual-Purpose Cowpea Varieties for Enhanced Food and Fodder in Senegal

From the June 2024 Newsletter

Led by Dr. Augustine Obour, Kansas State University 

Livestock is an integral part of the farming systems in semi-arid regions of west Africa (mostly agropastoral). Approximately 40% of the total ruminant livestock in SSA are raised in agropastoral systems of the savannas in west Africa. A major constraint in this farming system is limited availability of fodder to support livestock particularly in the dry season. When available, the nutritive value of native rangeland forages is very low. In regions with livestock, cowpea residues are removed as a high value and a tradable commodity in fodder markets to complement residue of cereal crop.

Therefore, integrating dual-purpose cowpea cultivars for grain and fodder has the potential to improve quality forage availability for regional livestock Substantial research has been conducted to develop dual-purpose (i.e. grain and fodder), nutrient dense, cowpea cultivars (e.g. Lizard, Leona, Kelle, and Sam). The new cultivars have “stay green” properties at maturity for improved fodder quality and are tolerant to heat stress which is ideal for production in the targeted regions of this research. 

Project objectives included:

  1. Evaluate the dual benefits of cowpea varieties to increase both grain and fodder quantity and quality.
  2. Conduct a tradeoff assessment for cowpea markets with particular focus on tradeoffs and synergies between grain and fodder production in areas that are traditionally pastoralists compared to areas that traditionally grow cowpea. 

The project collaborated with scientists working at the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA); Senegal National Agency for Extension and Advising (ANCAR), Feed the Future Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab; Faculté des Sciences Economiques et de Gestion (FASEG), and Université Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar. 

Click the link below to read the project achievements and complete final technical report.

Read the full report

 

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