ENHANCING COWPEA PRODUCTION AND NUTRITION THROUGH DEVELOPING DROUGHT TOLERANT AND HIGH PROTEIN LINES Report

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1 ENHANCING COWPEA PRODUCTION AND NUTRITION THROUGH DEVELOPING DROUGHT TOLERANT AND HIGH PROTEIN LINES Report Call For Report Call for final report Africa-Brazil Projects funded in the 2011/12 Report Status Submitted Title ENHANCING COWPEA PRODUCTION AND NUTRITION THROUGH DEVELOPING DROUGHT TOLERANT AND HIGH PROTEIN LINES ID 3058 Thematic Area Productivity Enhancing Technologies Reporting period 17 Sep Apr 2015 Co-leader Institutions Embrapa Semi-Arid & National Crops Resources Research Institute Project Co-leaders Mr. Carlos Antonio Santos & Mr. Gabriel Ddamulira Type of African Co-leader Institution NAROs Summary Cowpea (Vigna unguicuta) is a food source for communities in Uganda and Brazil. This project exploited the existing cowpea germpsm to select drought tolerant and high protein cowpea lines. Three field experimental trials; one on-station and two on-farms were conducted in diverse ecologies of Uganda. Of the Ugandan lines evaluated, WC 64 was identified as an early maturing (68 days) line with a potential of escaping drought. C2T a Brazilian line was the best yielding line with 0.43 kg/ha higher than commercial varieties currently used in Uganda. This implied that C2T can increase cowpea yields in Uganda. The study also selected C2I with 30% protein content which was 7% higher than the Ugandan cowpea lines. This meant that C2I can reduce protein deficiency in Uganda if adopted by farmers. In order to encourage continued use of the selected cowpea lines, 200 kg of WC 64, C2I and C2T seed were multiplied and distributed to two farmer groups in Apac and Kumi districts. In addition project results were also disseminated through in-house seminars, conferences, research articles and stakeholder s workshop held. Further still, capacity of 74 farmers in selecting high protein cowpea cultivars was built through training. Also capacity for research on cowpea was built through training 8 technicians and two students. The capacity built will support the breeding program continue with the breeding process of the selected lines up to variety release. Country(ies) of Implementation Uganda and Brazil Project Results In the course of implementing the project, the following results were realized: 1) Drought escape and high protein cowpea lines were identified: from the field trials conducted cowpea line WC 64 which matures in 68 days was identified as the most suitable line for drought prone areas. Secondly, a Brazilian line (C2T) which yielded 0.43 t ha-1 higher than the best Ugandan commercial cowpea variety (SECOW 5T) was earmarked as the best performing Brazilian lines under Ugandan conditions. In addition, cowpea line C2I with the highest protein content was identified. Its protein content was 7% higher than released Ugandan cowpea varieties. 2) Seeds of superior cowpea lines were multiplied and distributed: to allow continued use and promotion of superior lines developed, 200kg of WC 64, C2T and C2I seed was distributed to 74 farmers of Acan pe nyoye and Akukuranut farmer groups in Apac and Kumi districts in Uganda. 3) Capacity for research was built: to ensure the continuality of the developed cowpea lines, capacity for research and farmers was built through training 8 NaCRRI technicians in cowpea breeding and protein quantification. Mildred Anyo, a NaCRRI technicians received practical training in protein analysis at Semi-Arid, Petrolina in Brazil. Two Bsc. Students (Namusisi Phionah graduated in 2014 and Natembo Dinah is expected to graduate in November 2015) from Makerere University were trained by this project. In addition, 74 farmers were trained in participatory selection and improved agronomic practices. The capacity built during the project implementation will go a long way to support the continuality of the project outputs even after its closure. 4) Project results were disseminated: The results from the project were disseminated through a stakeholder s workshop which was held at NaCRRI, Uganda at the project closure. During the workshop, the project implementation team presented the achievements to stakeholders, and reviewed strategies to ensure continuity with variety development, release and dissemination activities beyond the project s intervention period. On the other hand, two manuscripts are in their final stages of submission to peer review journals and one poster was presented at the NARO, biennial conference 2014 at Munyonyo in Uganda. In addition two special project reports for the two students were submitted to the university and one mid-term technical report was submitted to Africa-Brazil innovation marketpce 5) Partnerships and colborations were strengthened: Research partnerships and colboration were strengthened through scientific exchange visits in which Gabriel visited Embrapa semi-arid in petrolina to familiarize himself with cowpea seed production process. Also Drs. Carlos and Cudio of Embrapa visited NaCRRI, Uganda and trained technicians in cowpea protein quantification. Through these visits institution and scientific

2 colborations were strengthened for future colboration. Scability and replicability The selected lines C2I, C2T and WC 64 with high; protein content, yield potential and early maturity that have been introduced to Uganda through this project, have the potential to improve human nutrition and cowpea production in semi-arid areas compared to the currently grown cowpea ndraces and commercial varieties. However, to ensure that project results really improve food and nutrition security in semi-arid regions, there is need to scale up the best outputs. This can be achieved through ; 1) advancing the developed lines up to variety release, 2) creating awareness of the nutrition value of cowpea protein-rich lines developed, 3) Training extension agents and engaging them in the process of disseminating the developed cowpea varieties to areas beyond the project intervention area. On the other hand, cowpea is a widely grown legume crop in drier regions of Uganda, East Africa and Africa at rge. Such regions experience low cowpea yields, malnutrition problems and poverty. But these regions have simir environmental conditions to those where project interventions have been implemented in the st two years. Hence the project results (high protein, yield and early maturity) can be replicated in dry regions in northern Uganda, southern Sudan and parts of Kenya with semi-arid conditions as a strategy to enhance food and nutrition security. Impacts of project results Dispute the fact that project results needs to be advanced up to variety release, but indicators that project results will contribute to improved cowpea production and nutrition in drought prone areas are already evident. The early maturing cowpea line (WC 64) that is capable of escaping drought and mature before rains stop, if developed into a variety can reduce 15% of the yield loss currently incurred by farmers who use te maturing cowpea varieties. The Brazilian cowpea line C2T which yields 0.43 t ha-1 higher than commercial varieties in Uganda will increase cowpea yields and production as well in case used by Ugandan farmers. Since cowpea is mainly grown by women, increase in cowpea yields will avail cowpea for home consumption and sell the surplus to generate income for women. In addition, cowpea is a cheap source of protein in semi-arid regions; adoption of Brazilian cowpea line C2I with 30% protein content is likely to improve the nutrition status of infants and expectant mothers who need protein-rich foods. Furthermore, the capacity for research built will support and sustain the national cowpea breeding program and cowpea improvement needs in both countries. Sustainability of project The sustainability of project results has been guaranteed through 1) multiplication and distribution of seeds of superior cowpea lines, 2) training personnel to support the breeding program with variety development, and 3) searching for funding for advancement of developed cowpea lines. Through careful testing and selection process, cowpea lines that are superior in early maturity, yield and protein content have been developed. Seeds of theses superior lines have been multiplied and distributed to participating farmer groups to allow continued cultivation of cowpea lines. Secondly the superior cowpea lines developed have been given to cowpea breeding program to continue with variety development process. In additional the program will be supported by trained technicians and farmers who acquired skills in participatory breeding during the project implementation. Furthermore, the two project coordinators developed a proposal to advance the lines into varieties under the PEARL call for proposals, though it was not successful but presently funding is being sought from McKnight foundation to advance the developed lines into varieties. Issues in project implementation Because of the long period taken to acquire Brazilian cowpea germpsm and the time taken to multiply the germpsm to generated sufficient seed for the trials, evaluation of Brazilian lines for adaptability in Uganda exceeded the project s anticipated time by four months. A project extension of four months was requested from marketpce which was granted. This enabled the implementing team to complete the evaluation process as pnned in the original project work pn. In the same, the dey in recruiting students due to mismatch between the university calendar year and the project start dates led to one student not graduating on time. However, presently she has completed her research and fulfilled all the university requirements she will be graduating in November Ugandan cowpea samples sent to Brazil for protein analysis were retained by Brazilian customs for a long time which deyed the project activities for some time, but a competent boratory was identified in Uganda which provided the protein analysis successfully. Lessons Learned Exchange visits by scientists during project implementation is a ptform for monitoring and evaluating the project progress and provides room for correcting mistakes early enough before they affect the project outputs. Capacity built during project implementation can py a pivotal role in ensuring the continuality of project achievements and sustaining cowpea breeding programs in Uganda and Brazil. Colboration during project implementation can backstop where there is knowledge gap by sharing ideas especially when colborating scientists have different expertise. Colborations also open up new opportunities for knowledge sharing and future research. The involvement of farmers in testing and evaluating the cowpea lines developed can improve adoptions of cowpea varieties developed from lines. This is evident by the high demand for seeds by farmers even before they are realized as varieties. Suggestions for improvement For future projects the marketpce team should earmark projects that require germpsm exchange and liaise with the relevant authorities in Brazil to facilitate the process of germpsm exchange. This will allow easy acquisition of germpsm and timely execution of project activities so as to avoid unnecessary deys in project implementation. Secondly, for projects whose outputs at the closure of the project are not the final product, Marketpce should consider providing second phase funding. For instance in our project we managed to develop early maturing and high protein cowpea lines, but for these lines to have an impact on the farming community, funds are required to further develop them into cowpea varieties which can be released to farmers. Publications Research publications in the pipeline 1. Ddamulira, G., Santos, C.A.F., Anyo, M. & Obuo, J.P. (2015). Yield performance and protein content of Brazilian cowpea lines under diverse environmental conditions in Ugandan. Submitted to Pnt Breeding Journal 2. Ddamulira, G., Santos, C.A.F., Anyo, M. & Obuo, J.P. (2015). Early maturity, protein content and phenotypic stability of cowpea cultivars/germpsm. In the final stages of submission to Journal of Agricultural Sciences Student s special project reports 1. Namusisi, P.A (2014). Evaluation of Ugandan cowpea cultivars for early maturity and yield performance, Bsc. Special Project Report 2. Nattembo, D. (2015). Agronomic performance of Brazilian cowpea lines in Uganda, Bsc. Special project report, Makerere University, Uganda Conference poster 1. Ddamulira G. Santos, C.A.F, Anyo, M and J.P Obuo, (2014). Enhancing cowpea production and nutrition through developing drought tolerant and high protein cowpea lines. The second Biennial NARO scientific conferencence, 3rd -7th November 2014, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampa, Uganda

3 Quantitative Project Results Number of Key Project Outputs Training and Technical Visits Events Organized Germpsm Exchange Number of Participating Professionals (in the project team as a whole) Knowledge Generated Quantitative - Project Results Technologies Products Services Name Technician training in protein analysis Farmer training in participatory selection Practical course in protein analysis Technical visit to Brazil Technicial visit to Uganda Research training for university students Event Name Project Inception Project results dessimination Species Cowpea (Vigna Unguicuta L. walp) Female Country/city Uganda/Kumi/ Apac Number of Days Gender 5 4 males & 4 females 6 50 females & 24 males Brazil/Petrolina 7 1 female Brazil/Petrolina 7 1 male & 1 female Uganda/ Kampa Country/City Number of Accessions 7 2 males females Event Type (workshop, forum, symposium, etc.) Year workshop 2012 workshop 2015 Recipient Country 25 Uganda Male 3 4

4 Attachments (photos and other documents) Cowpea_project_Photos_ docx Dr. Cudio of Embrapa Semi arid training technicians at NaCRRI boratory in Uganda NaCRRI technician Mildred Anyo (in the middle)undergoing practical training in the boratory at Embrapa Semi Arid Petrolina, Brazil

5 Scientists: Gabriel Ddamulira of NaCRRI and Dr. Santos C.A. Fernandes of Embrapa Semi Arid visits cowpea seed production fields in Petrolina, Brazil Mildred Anyo, a NaCRRI technician distributing small packs of cowpea seed to farmers in Apac district, Uganda

6 Some of selected best cowpea line Presentations made during the project dissemination workshop held at NaCRRI in Uganda Aisu Geofrey a NaCRRI technician, training farmers of Acan pe nyoye group in cowpea production in Apac, Uganda

7 On farm cowpea evaluation trial field in Kumi district, Uganda Participatory setting up of on-farm trials with farmers in Kumi district, Uganda