IITA bails Jigawa farmers with parasite resistance cowpea seeds

The Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has introduced striga resistance cowpea seeds to Jigawa farmers.  The introduction of the seeds would lead to the elimination of striga parasite plant commonly known as ‘witches weed’ in farms. Speaking during a farmer’s field day held at Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa State, the IITA tropical […]

The Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has introduced striga resistance cowpea seeds to Jigawa farmers. 
The introduction of the seeds would lead to the elimination of striga parasite plant commonly known as ‘witches weed’ in farms.
Speaking during a farmer’s field day held at Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa State, the IITA tropical legumes III Agronomist Principal Investigation (PI), Mr Teryima Iorlamen, stated that records had shown that Jigawa State was at the forefront in the production of cowpea in Nigeria, adding, however, that striga parasite weed bedeviled cowpea production in the state.
“Being one of the leading cowpea producing states in Nigeria, IITA in collaboration with University of Agriculture, Makurdi,  has developed about 34 striga resistance cowpea seeds with varieties of additional values added to it and we have demonstrated these seeds to farmers to make their choice, based on the seed’s performance,” he said.  
A cowpea farmer, Malam Mamman Sani of Garin Gambo, said that he liked the variety of striga resistance seed 106 UAM because it allows farmer to have more animal feed and yield.
Another farmer, Malam Hudu Usman, said that he preferred the cowpea resistance seed 209 IT because it had high yield characteristics.