Farmers’ Selection Cues in Cowpea For Vegetable Use in Eastern Uganda
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
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.
Description
Keywords
Farmer preferences, Demand-led variety design, Cowpea vegetable, Sensory attributes
Citation
Kizito, E. B., Kyebalyenda, T., Nakanwagi, M. J., Sseremba, G., Kabod, P. N., Odeke, V., ... & Falk, T. (2022). Farmers’ selection cues in cowpea for vegetable use in eastern Uganda. https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.109.20155