The Savanna Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI) has organized a farmer’s field day to showcase the performance of pod bore resistant (PBR) cowpea to selected farmers.

Mr. Haruna Ali, a Senior Research Officer with the CSIR-SARI, in charge of the Sissala East and West Districts, noted that scientific study has shown that the genetically modified (GM) cowpea is more productive than the conventional varieties even when planted using standard agronomic practices.

As such, Mr Ali expressed hope that the registration of the new variety would take place in early 2023 so farmers could access the new seeds for cultivation in late 2023 or early 2024.

Meanwhile, the Bt cowpea is the first genetically modified cowpea in Ghana showcased to farmers in Silbelle in the Sissala West District under multi-location trials in Ghana under good agronomic practices.

“In the Upper West Region, we are doing it in Sissala East and West Districts where production of cowpea has been declining. The Maruca pod bore is a very destructive pest in cowpea production with high pest infestation and humans can feed on a high risk of insecticide as the old variety comes with several rounds of spraying.”
Mr. Haruna Ali

Mr Ali explained that it is a confined multi-location trial to showcase to farmers for the first time in Ghana for them to see the performance and the characteristics of the Bt cowpea and compare it to the old variety.

The researcher indicated that SARI is introducing the Bt cowpea, where the quality of the plant would be assured with high germination and production level to increase incomes and forestall food security, hence the need for farmers to adopt the new cowpea variety when released.

The New Cowpea Variety to Yield High Income for Farmers

Dr Jerrya Nboyine and his assistant Madam Gloria Adiazebra, both entomologists from the SARI-Tamale recommended that the new cowpea variety would yield high income for farmers, as well as ensure food security.

A total of 260 participants, including farmers from Sorbelle, Silbelle, and surrounding communities, representatives from YARA Ghana, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), participated in the field day.

Mr. Adam Mahama, the Regional Sales Agronomist of Yara Ghana in the Upper West Region, stressed that due to their quest to feed the world and protect the planet; “Yara is into providing nutrients for the crops and we have the Yara legume this year for farmers.”

“Yara has a programme called Grow Ghana project with 360,000 active fertilizer where you go with the Ghana card buy two and get one free, we still have more in stock,” Mr Mahama highlighted.

The Regional Sales Agronomist appealed to farmers to buy their fertilizer after harvesting to store for the coming season. Some of the farmers expressed happiness to see the new cowpea and thanked CSIR-SARI for taking the initiative. The event is under the supervision of the lead Scientist to the Ghana Bt cowpea program.

It can be recalled that Dr. Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw, a Senior Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) called for the approval of Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs) Biotechnology cowpea (Bt cowpea) and subsequent release of same to farmers. Dr. Ampadu Ameyaw stated that he is satisfied with the work on the GMO cowpea which has proven resistant to insects and pests and had better yields.