Cowpea: FG Sensitises North-East Farmers To SAMPEA 20T In Gombe
By Chima Azubuike
The Federal Government has expressed willingness to reduce negative impact of pesticides to food most especially cowpea with the introduction of Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea (SAMPEA20T).
Speaking, Uwem Ekomabasi, Desk Officer Cowpea Value, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development said the overwhelming health challenges would be curbed.
Ekomabasi disclosed this on Tuesday in Gombe, during an Awareness creation on the newly released Cowpea Pod Bearer Resistant variety (SAMPEA 20T) and post harvest handling techniques of cowpea to farmers in North-East, where about 50 participants received Storage bags- Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS).
She said, “The benefit of Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea to North-East farmers is that this variety will significantly reduce the use of pesticides by the farmers and the farmers will have more yield because of continuous harvest. The income of the farmer is sure to improve.”
Also speaking, Prof. Mohammed Umar,
Cowpea breeder, Head of Department, Department of Plant Science, Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria said the research into SAMPEA 20T lasted for about 11 years.
He said, “The one we are discussing today is the one that has resistance to the field insect while the other is storage insect weevil. The one that destroys the seed at the storage level but it is carried from the field to the store
“We saw the need to also to address the issue of storage because people use harmful chemicals, to the environment and to human beings.”
Umar, explained that the SAMPEA 20T, is transgenic, “it means it a variety developed using modern technology and there an existing problem limiting the production of cowpea in the world but it more in Africa because of the insect called maruca,”he said.
On his part, Engr. Abubakar Abdullahi, Director Federal Department of Agriculture, who was represented by Musa Inuwa Director Federal Ministry of Agriculture Gombe, noted that government is focusing on achieving food and Nutrition security through its various activities.
Abdullahi said, “the awareness will help farmers reduce cost of production and increase their income as very minimal insecticide is needed during production circle.”
Also, Permanent Secretary Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture Danladi Molta, described the sensitisation as timely, saying “We have just completed harvest what we are focusing on now is storage.”
Salisu Samao, Chairman Gombe State Cowpea Farmers Association, lauded government for the support. He disclosed that with the introduction of SAMPEA 20T, “diseases that comes because of eating cowpea with chemicals will be reduced, now people will eat healthy beans,” Samao said.
