This is an outdated, inactive version of this case. Go to the current version.
Technologies
Inactive

Improved cowpea variety (IT90k372-1-2) [Niger]

Waké mai jan hanci

technologies_663 - Niger

Completeness: 90%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Book project: where people and their land are safer - A Compendium of Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (where people and their land are safer)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz) (HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz)) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

12/10/2016

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

Training and awareness raising in the use of improved agricultural techniques
approaches

Training and awareness raising in the use of … [Niger]

This approach consists of disseminating improved agricultural techniques to increase the agricultural production. Producers are trained to demonstrate the techniques, and demonstration events are organised to make other producers aware of the use of these improved techniques.

  • Compiler: Judith Macchi

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The improved cowpea variety (IT90k372-1-2) has a short cycle, multiple resistance and is adapted to the tropical agro-ecological zone.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

As in all of Niger, the department of Mayahi in the southern central part of the country is characterized by a harsh natural environment with low precipitation, which is variable in space and time, and high temperatures, with a tendency to increase even more due to the effects of climate change, increasing the aridity of the region. With 3,1%, the population is growth is very high. The pressure on the natural resources has also strongly increased, and the chronic food insecurity regularly affects the majority of the population.
Millet and cowpea are the main agricultural products of the region, but due to the demographic pressure, the arable land is practically entirely in use. Consequently, food security can only be achieved through an increased production.

The cowpea variety IT90K-372-1-2 is of an inbred line nature and was developed in 1990 by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IIAT) based in Ibadan in Nigeria. It has a growth cycle of 60 to 70 days with a semi-erect bearing and a spread bloom. The potential yield of IT90K-372-1-2 is 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes per ha. The grains are white-coloured with a red-coloured eye. This variety is resistant to drought (isohyet 300-600 mm), tolerant to aphids, but sensitive to striga, thrips and beetles. It grows as well on fertile land as on degraded land. Its growth cycle is well adapted to the rainfall, especially in regions with a chronic rainfall deficit. Through its capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, integrating cowpea in the crop rotation enables to fulfill the requirements for nitrogen fertiliser of the subsequent crops (Bationo et al., 1990). This variety was registered in the catalog of improved varieties of Niger in 2010 by the National Agronomic Research Institute of Niger (INRAN).
The recommended period for seeding are the first fifteen days in the month of July. The field should be well ploughed to promote the root development. In the zones with more fragile zones prone to erosion, it is recommended to adopt minimum tillage or no-tillage. Three grains must be sown in each pocket, and thinned out to two plants per stem two weeks after seeding. The latter is done in a pit of 2,5 to 5 cm depth in the soil ridges, or in the surface, depending on the type of soil preparation. Approximately 20 kg/ha of grains of IT90K-372-1-2 are used with a spacing of 75 cm x 20 cm. This variety does not require so much nitrogen fertiliser because, like any variety of cowpea, it fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere by the nodules contained between its roots. Nevertheless it is essential to apply it in small quantities (around 15 kg/ha of nitrogen) when starting on poor soils. A nitrogen excess leads to a low grain production and a strong vegetative growth. Around 30 kg of P/ha is recommended in the form of Supa for the production of cowpea in order to support the crop to nodulate to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Weeding with a hoe is the most frequently used method by the farmers; it is done for a first time two weeks after seeding and a second time 4-5 weeks after seeding to keep the field clean of weed.
Cowpea contributes for a substantial part to meeting the food requirements of the population in tropical countries (Bressani 1997). The variety IT90K372-1-2 is appreciated by the producers because of the size of its grains (large), the colour of the grains (white) and the taste.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Niger

Region/ State/ Province:

Maradi

Further specification of location:

Mayahi

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2014

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • during experiments/ research
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

This is a research and development project coordinated by a teacher-researcher.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

millet, sorghum, cowpea, groundnut

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • integrated soil fertility management
  • integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)
  • improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2
Comments:

The technology was brought to 20 villages with 8 farmers per village and 0.5 ha per producer.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A5: Seed management, improved varieties

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Comments:

Through its capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, integrating cowpea in the crop rotation enables to fulfill the requirements for nitrogen fertiliser of the subsequent crops (Bationo et al., 1990).

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Rabé Mahamane Moctar

Date:

28/08/2014

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

This is a semi-erect variety with a spacing of 0.7 m between the lines and 0.5 m between the pockets, or a density of 28.000 pockets/hectare. The seed quantity for sowing one hectare is 20 kg. The growth cycle is 60 to 70 days with a potential yield of 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes/hectare.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

the unit of the area is hectare (ha)

other/ national currency (specify):

CFA franc

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

617.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

1250 CFA francs per person-day

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Soil preparation Agronomic May
2. Seedbed Agronomic July
3. Maintenance Agronomic July
4. Phytosanitary treatment (neem seed) Agronomic August
5. Harvest Agronomic September
6. Stocking Management October

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour from sowing to harvest person-days 20.0 1250.0 25000.0 100.0
Plant material seed kg 15.0 500.0 7500.0
Fertilizers and biocides organic manure cart 40.0 200.0 8000.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides fungicide bag 1.0 500.0 500.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides fertiliser kg 75.0 300.0 22500.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 63500.0
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The project has financed the cost of seed and the management.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Soil preparation Agronomic May
2. Seedbed Agronomic July
3. Maintenance Agronomic July
4. Phytosanitary treatment (neem seed) Agronomic August
5. Harvest Agronomic September
6. Stocking Management October

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour from sowing to harvest person-days 20.0 1250.0 25000.0 100.0
Plant material seed kg 15.0 500.0 7500.0
Fertilizers and biocides organic manure cart 40.0 200.0 8000.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides fungicide bag 1.0 500.0 500.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides fertiliser kg 75.0 300.0 22500.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 63500.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The cost of the technology is most influenced by the chemical fertiliser.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

250.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Rainy season from July to September.

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Mayahi

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

The groundwater table is at more than 50 m depth.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low
Habitat diversity:
  • low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • very poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • youth
  • middle-aged
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The heads of the agricultural enterprises are on average 48 years old (+- 12 years). Land is predominantly acquired through inheritance and purchase. Renting, chopping right, donation and subtenancy are less frequent. Cereals are firstly intended for own consumption, and the residues (straw and stubble) are kept for the animals.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

108 kg

Quantity after SLM:

606 kg

Comments/ specify:

The agricultural production is multiplied by 5.6.

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Improved seed (1,000 CFA francs/kg) is more expensive than local seed (500 CFA francs/kg).

farm income

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

43,200 CFA francs on average

Quantity after SLM:

240,000 CFA francs on average

Comments/ specify:

The farm income is multiplied by 5.5.

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

Ecological impacts

Climate and disaster risk reduction

drought impacts

increased
decreased

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal temperature dry season increase well
other gradual climate change variability of rainfall (increase of extreme precipitation, anomalies between the seasons) increase well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 10-50%
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 10-50%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Productivity
The short cycle of the technology
Resistance to multiple factors (drought, aphid)
Food security
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Earliness
Resistance to pests
Increased yield
Tolerance to low soil fertility

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Cost of seed Support from NGOs and projects
Sensitive to striga Weeding
Monitoring requirements
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Cost of inputs (fertiliser and seed) Subsidies on inputs from the government

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

10

  • interviews with land users

10

  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

3

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

2

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Magah I.M., (s.d) La culture du niébé au Sahel. INRAN / Niger, 5 p.

Links and modules

Expand all Collapse all

Modules