Abstract
Participatory diagnostic farmer field fora (FFF) were conducted at two communities, Savelugu and Bukpomo, in northern Ghana to build the capacity of farmers on integrated pest management in cowpea production. The FFF involved a season-long comparative evaluation of farmers’ practices (FP) and integrated pest management (IPM). Farmers’ practices relied wholly on calendar insecticide sprays while IPM plots employed proven agronomic practices and treatment with neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) extract for insect pest control. Results showed that insect pest densities (Flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom and pod-sucking bugs’ for example, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal.) and percent damaged pods as well as grain yield were similar in FP and IPM plots at both Savelugu and Bukpomo. Partial budget analysis showed positive returns to investment in IPM and a near loss in FP. Post training ballot box test showed that 80% of the farmer participants across locations showed improved knowledge and skills in IPM after the training compared with about 30% before the training. An ancillary study to the FFF was conducted to expose the farmers to different cowpea genotypes in a participatory variety selection trial. Results showed that some of the genotypes selected by farmers as their most preferred genotypes at the vegetative stage were also selected at the podding stage but there were no significant correlations between these farmer preferences and yield. These findings are discussed in the context of sustainable cowpea production through farmer empowerment and involvement in technology generation and dissemination. Key words: Farmer field fora, participatory variety selection, cowpea, Azadirachta indica.
Highlights
Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers, is an important food crop and a major source of protein for many families in Ghana and other countries in sub-Saharan WestAfrica
A total of 130 cowpea farmers comprising 90 males and 40 females participated in the training at Bukpomo while a total of 120 comprising 80 males and 40 females participated at Savelugu during the two years of the farmer field fora (FFF) (Table 1)
There were no significant differences between integrated pest management (IPM) and farmers’ practices (FP) in the densities of thrips (M. sjostedti) and podsucking bugs (PSBs) (C. tomentosicollis, A. curvipes and A. armigera) at the two locations tested
Summary
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers, is an important food crop and a major source of protein for many families in Ghana and other countries in sub-Saharan West. The dry grain with about 23 to 25% protein, supplies much of the protein needs of the rural poor who lack the needed capital to purchase animal protein. 5. Cowpea insect pests/diseases identification and management. A pre- and post- training ballot box tests were conducted to evaluate the knowledge and skills of participants before and after the training, respectively. In these tests, farmers were asked certain key questions pertinent to the field ecology of cowpea such as
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