Cowpea Field Trials
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The cowpea breeding team at the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), Mochipapa Research Station, Zambia. The team from left to right; Mr Dickson Matambele, Mrs Velindah Chibomba, Mr William Funsani (PI).
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Cowpea is grown throughout Zambia, mainly by small-scale farmers for household consumption. Production data for the past 10 years indicates Southern Province as the lead region in cowpea production.
The data also indicates low yields of cowpea grain among farmers countrywide. However, cowpea is an important source of protein for many rural households in the country. Farmers prefer early maturing and high yielding varieties. Currently, there are seven improved cowpea varieties in Zambia, of which three, most recently released, are not yet commercially available.
View of cowpea field trial at Mochipapa research Station. Cowpea germinating are from KT partners in Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria.
Main objective
The project is aimed at using marker assisted selection for the development of new improved cowpea varieties with pests and disease resistance.
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PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS
Mr Funsani leads the KT-funded cowpea field trials at Mochipapa Research Station in Choma. He holds an MSc in Agriculture Economics and Management from Nanjing Agricultural University in China, and a BSc in Agronomy from Saint-Petersburg State Agrarian University in Russia.
Mrs Velindah Chibomba,
Cowpea breeder
Mr Dickson Matembele,
Technician
PROJECT LOCATION
Location of Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), Zambia