Changing Agricultural Practices in Cowpea Production: The Impact of New Innovation

Abstract

This paper provides details of cowpea production, storage and treatment by focusing on cowpea innovations, paying particular attention to the FFS, IPM innovations and related processes. It draws on data collected during 12 months of fieldwork in northern Ghana. The communities in which the research was conducted sit some 102km and 15km from Tamale. The fieldwork also researched three agricultural development agencies:  Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and World Vision Ghana (WVG). Data collection was achieved through formal surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and observations. A total of 120 individual interviews were conducted for the formal survey guided by the questionnaire. Thirty individual questionnaire- 10 each- were administered to the three Agricultural Development Agencies –SARI, WVG, and MOFA. While 275 community members made up of both male and female farmers, elders, the youth and traders were involved in five Focal Group Discussion Workshops. Results indicates that only a few farmers cultivate the local varieties, to ensure that they do not disappear, because of characteristics such as the taste, appearance and the unique taste of the leaves which is used for soup. Improved varieties were taking over the local varieties because, they quick to develop, mature within two months such that increased yields are a distinct possibility unlike local varieties and can be planted twice in the rainy season. Adopting the cultivation of improved varieties also meant adopting improved methods of cultivation.