By Albert Futukpor, GNA
Nyankpala (N/R), June 19, GNA – The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has developed four new maruca resistant cowpea varieties to boost the production of the crop in the country.
The four new varieties were developed by incorporating the maruca resistant trait into four commercial varieties namely Apagbaala, Padi-tuua, Wang-kae and Kirkhouse-benga.
They are currently undergoing extensive field testing and are expected to be proposed for release in the next two to four years.
Dr Jerry Nboyine, a Research Scientist at CSIR-SARI, who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Nyankpala, said the new varieties would provide farmers with more options in terms of biomass, growth habits, and adaptability to different ecological conditions.
Maruca is a highly destructive moth caterpillar that feeds on leguminous crops such as cowpea, and it is one of the most devastating agricultural pests in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr Nboyine said the move for the four new varieties was to eventually produce cowpea varieties that were high-yielding, resistant to field pests and storage pests while requiring minimal pesticide application.
When finally commercialized, the four new varieties would add to Songotra-T, the country’s first genetically modified cowpea, which is resistant to pests, and was commercialized in July, 2024.
The Songotra-T was developed by scientists at CSIR-SARI after nearly 10 years of both confined and on-farm trials in collaboration with an international network of organizations across Western Africa, Australia, the USA, and was coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation.
Dr Nboyine expressed optimism about the future of cowpea production in the country and said the country was on course to transform the sector significantly within the next five to six years.
He emphasized that “The future is very promising for cowpea farmers and for Ghana as a whole.”
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Writer’s Email: [email protected]