Cow Pea Trainer of Trainers’ Manual

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important food and fodder legume crop in the semi-arid tropics. It is grown in 45 countries across the world. An estimated 14.5 million ha of land is planted to cowpea each year worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa region accounts for about 84% of area as well as production. The world average yield is estimated at about 450 kg/ha. Kenya is among the major cowpea producing countries in Africa. Cowpea is well suited to diverse environments and fit in various cropping systems owing to their wide adaptability, low input requirements, fast growth, nitrogen fixing and weed smothering ability. The majority of cowpea growers are women who grow the crop primarily for household food, but also for sale-an increasing phenomenon in recent years. The typical woman cowpea grower has a small plot, 0.625 to 2.5 acres often intercropped with other cereals such as sorghum, millet and maize. The purpose of this training of trainers’ module is to familiarize master trainers on the cowpea technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs) and empower them with knowledge and skills to train farmers’ trainers.