Farmers’ selection cues in cowpea for vegetable use in eastern Uganda

Kyebalyenda, T and Nakanwagi, M J and Sseremba, G and Buteme, R and Kabod, P N and Odeke, V and Amayo, R and Runyararo, J R and Egeru, A and Falk, T and Kizito, E B (2022) Farmers’ selection cues in cowpea for vegetable use in eastern Uganda. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 22 (4). pp. 20197-20214. ISSN 1684-5374

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Abstract

A participatory cowpea varietal selection was carried out in Eastern Uganda in Kumi district among farmers (n=30) in the sub-Counties of: Ongino, Kumi and Kanyum. A range of opinions were collected to identify farmers’ selection criteria based on different sensory attributes and their most preferred genotypes for vegetable use. A preference analysis was carried out to obtain quantitative preference scores of each plot. This was followed by organoleptic tests which included attributes like taste, aroma and texture of the genotypes at the vegetative and immature R4 stages. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also held to find consensus of the independent evaluations made by individual farmers. Data for sixteen (16) cowpea genotypes were collected at the different above mentioned stages. Quantitative data were analyzed based on farmers’ scores made on the different evaluated attributes and ANOVA was used to provide mean differences between location, gender and genotype at a significant level of 5%. Preference score for each of the varieties tested was determined and presented. Data from FGDs were grouped, similarities and differences were later determined depending on their level of importance to the farmers. Significant differences (p<0.05) in farmer choices were observed for leaf taste, immature pod aroma, taste and texture; mature pod aroma, taste between farmer groups, age genotype and gender. Irrespective of age, gender, farmer group and genotype, farmers seemed to give more importance to the smooth texture, little hard leaves when chewing, sweet taste with a mild aroma (leaves) and a moderate aroma (pods). Majority (9%) of the farmers preferred Ebelat (landrace) at V4 stage; this was followed by Danila (8.7%). On the other hand, UCUCOW1 (13% at immature and 10.2% at mature cooked R4 stage) followed by Ebelat (9% and 9.8% for immature and mature R4 stage, respectively) were preferred by majority of the farmers. In terms of sensory attributes, farmers preferred genotypes with sweet taste, moderate aroma and tender texture. The information is a baseline for understanding key farmer selection criteria in utilization of cowpea as a vegetable which can be used in generating a demand-led variety design for the crop.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Research Program : Innovation Systems for the Drylands (ISD)
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Farmer preferences, demand-led variety design, cowpea vegetable, sensory attributes
Subjects: Others > Cowpea
Depositing User: Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited: 08 May 2024 06:15
Last Modified: 08 May 2024 06:15
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12666
Official URL: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajfand/article/vie...
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: Funding was from ICRISAT through Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) under the GLDC Project, Grant No: RU2018FAPA-CRPGLDC01. We thank local government of Kumi district and Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) for all the support offered in the whole process.
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