On-farm evaluation of improved cowpea-cereals cropping systems for crop-livestock farmers: Cerealscowpea systems in Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria

From 2003 to 2005, a farmer’s participatory evaluation of improved cowpea-cereal cropping systems in the Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria involving over 1600 farmers was conducted. The system involved growing improved cowpea varieties with cereal in a 2 cereal: 4 cowpea row to row arrangements, with application of inorganic and organic fertilizer to the crops and 2 to 3 insecticide sprays to the cowpea. Training was provided to all farmers and extension agents at the village level, while the farmers’ group leaders and extension agents were further given on-station training. The results indicate that the improved cropping systems using improved varieties of cowpeas were superior to the traditional systems. The economic value of grains of the improved systems ranged from 160 to 680% of the traditional controls while the total produce gave gross returns of 160 to 571% of the total produce of the traditional controls in the Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria. The improved systems also produced better quality crop residues with increase in the leguminous portion of the residues and therefore likely to improve productivity of the livestock.