Post-harvest Management of Cowpea: A potential Cash Crop for the Western Coastal Ecosystem of Goa

Abstract

Cowpea, popularly grown as Alsando (Red Bold Variety) or Chowli (the less bold cream colored variety) is a major pulse crop of the state of Goa cultivated in the rice fallows during rabi season under residual soil moisture conditions. Harvest and post harvest losses of Cowpea were estimated by primary and secondary data collected from 50 Cowpea farmers from five villages each in the two districts, North and South of Goa and 9 storage godowns in the year 2012-13. The results showed that in spite of the crop being highly remunerative, it was cultivated in only 40 % of the paddy area. The average losses on field were 10.84 % for harvest, followed by 6.96% for threshing and 4.34 % for storage as calculated from primary data collected on farm. Secondary data showed that the awareness of losses during harvest and post-harvest unit operations was very less as they reported zero losses. The pulse has a high storage insect pest, pulse borer (Callosobruchus maculatus, Callosobruchus chinensis)incidence and hence was stored only for seed purpose in some cases for a year and generally disposed of by the month of May in the godowns and by September at household level. In spite of having high returns, high local demand and nutraceutical value, the crop is not grown in large area due to labour intensive unit operations and high pest incidence. Sensitizing the farmers on good management practices and development of a drudgery free harvesting device can make this remunerative crop popular in the state.