Characterization of Field Pea Production and Options for Improved Productivity in Mt. Elgon, Uganda

Bosco Chemayek,Doreen Nampamya,Lawrence Owere,Robert Gidoi,Arthur Wasukira,Stephen Wobibi,Park Teason

doi:10.5539/jas.v13n7p37

Abstract

Field pea is a key source of household income, food and nutrition in Uganda mainly produced in the high land areas of country including south western and Mt. Elgon. The crop fetches a high stable price across markets compared to other grain pulses and yet it has remained outside the mainstream of the research process. The status of this commodity is largely unknown yet such information would support its research agenda to improve productivity and marketing. A study was conducted in the Mt. Elgon sub-zone to determine the status of field pea production, understand its constraints and map out its production cycle. This was done through a survey covering 5 districts namely; Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween, Namisindwa and Mbale. In each district two major field pea growing sub counties were purposively selected, in each sub-county 25 respondents were randomly sampled from a list of field pea producers. A structured questionnaire was then administered; data collated, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The results revealed that the crop is grown by all gender categories with 60% grown for home consumption and 40% for income. In the districts of Kween and Mbale it is mostly grown for income since the Kween farmers have relatively larger pieces of land whereas Mbale being a commercial hub of the region there is relatively higher price throughout the year which attracts farmers to sell. Field pea is grown alongside other crops which varied by district but was largely grown as sole crop, along boundaries and intercrops depending on availability of land. It is also important to note that it forms a very important part of the rotation system because it plays a significant role in soil fertility restoration as well as serving as a break crop suitable for rotation to minimize the negative impact of cereal based mono-cropping.

Highlights

Pulses are the second most important crops both in terms of area coverage and in terms of total production after cereals
By far the highest proportion of the nutrient value of field pea is contained in the cotyledons, with the embryo and seed coat contributing less than 10% to the nutritional value
From each sub county 25 respondents were randomly sampled from a list of field pea producers identified by the sub county agricultural officer to ensure good representativeness of field pea farmers in the sub zone

Summary

Introduction

Pulses are the second most important crops both in terms of area coverage and in terms of total production after cereals. The national production is estimated at 16,000 Mt from an area of 44,000 ha and estimated yield of 0.4 Mt/Ha. Field pea is primarily used for human consumption or as livestock feed. Field pea is a grain legume commonly used throughout the world in human cereal grain diets. Though referred to as a forgotten resource is a rich source of protein, carbohydrate, and some minerals. By far the highest proportion of the nutrient value of field pea is contained in the cotyledons, with the embryo and seed coat contributing less than 10% to the nutritional value. The fat content is low and the seeds are a good source of vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, jas.ccsenet.org

Methods

Results

Conclusion