The university of Agriculture Makurdi says it is ready to help farmers increase yield in cowpea production in Nigeria as the institution now has several improved varieties of cowpea seeds ready for distribution to farmers.
Vice chancellor of the University, Professor Anande Richard Kimbir who revealed this in an exclusive chat with ZITI NEWS in Makurdi yesterday while conducting members of the west African Cowpea Consortium, WACC, as well as the Kirkhouse Trust management team from the United Kingdom and the Trust consultants from the United States of America round the various demonstration fields of the cowpea seeds produced by the Institution, called on seed companies to partner with the institution in the distribution of these seeds to the farmers across the States.
Professor Anande added that farmers within the Institution have already started recording bumper harvest from the improved Cowpea varieties express gratitude to the team that has worked on the project with support from the Kirkhouse Trust of the United Kingdom saying the project will improve the lives of the Farmers and the entire Community.
Coordinator of the project team, Dr. Lucky Omoigui said the project has lead to the discovery of specific varieties of cowpea that produce very well, recording high yield within shorter maturity period in Benue State which before now was considered not suitable for planting cowpea through several research works and trails to ensure farmers get better income from cowpea cultivation and Nutritional improvement, also confirmed that farmers now record five times more than their previous yield with the current varieties.
On His part, Chairman of the Kirkhouse Trust, Professor Sir Edwin M. Southern expressed joy over the successes recorded from the Cowpea improvement projects with the support from his organization which He founded since the year 2000, added that West Africa has the potentials to produce more cowpea to meet its global demand hence His support targeted towards the Region.
The field visit is part of a week -long event of the 12th Annual meeting of the West Africa Cowpea Consortium, WACC, holding in Abuja from 28 October 2018 to 1st of November 2018 with participants from West and Central Africa state of Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Benin Republic including the Kirkhouse Trust Management team from the United Kingdom and the Trust consultants from the United States of America to examine the project in the participating Countries.
