Determination of quality traits, and the nutrient and mineral contents of Cowpea varieties in South Africa

Eastern Cape, followed by Limpopo, have the highest numbers of citizens experiencing food insecurity. The Limpopo and Free State provinces share the highest prevalence rate of children affected by iron deficiency anaemia leading to severe stunting and underweight. Cowpea is an important grain legume that is rich in proteins (20-24%), minerals and vitamins for human and animal nutrition. Cowpea stands to enhance food security and nutrition in rural South African communities. Introduction of cowpea varieties that are rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins will improve the quality of the dietary intakes and nutritional status of the poor. To fast-track the development of improved cowpea varieties that meet the nutritional needs of consumers and farmers, thirty cowpea improved varieties were introduced and evaluated to determine their qualities and the nutrients they contain. This will assist breeders in ascertaining their usefulness and how to deploy the traits in breeding programmes. The seeds were harvested from seed multiplication plots during 2017 growing season, and were analysed in three replications to determine their nutrient and mineral contents (crude protein or CP, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, P, K and moisture). The mineral contents were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer while CP content was determined by the Kjeldahl method using Kjeltec™ Model 2300, as described in Foss Analytical AB manual. Results showed that the varieties exhibited significant (P<0.05) variations for the nutrients and minerals determined except for P and moisture. Eight varieties out-performed the two local control varieties (Glenda and Bechuana White with 24% and 20% respectively) in CP with a range of 25-31%. Many varieties also significantly out-performed the local checks in respect of minerals tested: 4, 12, 6, 5, 14, and 15 varieties exhibited higher concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu and Fe, respectively. Results also show that the quality of grains varied in terms of seed colour, texture, and eye colour. The results not only demonstrate that many of the improved varieties were better than the control varieties, but have also provided a database for utilising the promising varieties in breeding programme for the development of new cowpea germplasm with better quality traits and nutrient contents. Variation in seed qualities offers opportunities for farmers and consumers to make choice as these quality traits influence acceptability and marketability of cowpea in South Africa

NOVEL COWPEA MENUS FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF DIETARY DIVERSITY AND INTAKE IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important grain legume which is rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. Cowpea production is gradually increasing in South Africa and its utilisation and consumption must be matched with its production to balance demand and supply in order to enhance job creation, income generation as well as increased diversity of nutrition and dietary intake of the rural communities. Recent reports have indicated that Limpopo province is food and nutrition insecure where 2-6 year old children are malnourished and stunted. Inadequate nutrition is an ongoing problem in rural South African communities especially in the Limpopo province due to poor diversity of daily dietary intake. Majority of poor rural populations depend on a sole-maize diet with occasional vegetables added when available. The utilisation of cowpea produce and diversity of nutrition is poor due to inadequate or poor agro-processing, which leads to few markets or utilisation channels for uptake. Given the above background, this study was conducted to train farmers on agro-processing of cowpea into different menus. The training will improve dietary intake of farmers in addition to enhanced dietary diversity to ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on solemaize diets. This study reports on the training conducted for one hundred and twenty five farmers on agro-processing of cowpea to produce different novel products. Different recipes were employed to produce the products. Results show that 125 farmers were trained on the preparation of Akara and Moin-moin, porridge and fortification of cereal-based meals with cowpea products. The training increased the knowledge and skills of farmers on preparation of novel menus that never existed in South Africa, which will increase their dietary intake to enhance dietary diversity as well as ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on sole maize diets. The training will also enhance the market channels for cowpea production, which will increase the demand and supply of cowpea in addition to enhanced food security and nutrition. It is recommended that such training on the novel products be extended to schools, restaurants, correctional services, hospitals and other provinces in South Africa for a greater impacts

NOVEL COWPEA MENUS FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF DIETARY DIVERSITY AND INTAKE IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important grain legume which is rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. Cowpea production is gradually increasing in South Africa and its utilisation and consumption must be matched with its production to balance demand and supply in order to enhance job creation, income generation as well as increased diversity of nutrition and dietary intake of the rural communities. Recent reports have indicated that Limpopo province is food and nutrition insecure where 2-6 year old children are malnourished and stunted. Inadequate nutrition is an ongoing problem in rural South African communities especially in the Limpopo province due to poor diversity of daily dietary intake. Majority of poor rural populations depend on a sole-maize diet with occasional vegetables added when available. The utilisation of cowpea produce and diversity of nutrition is poor due to inadequate or poor agro-processing, which leads to few markets or utilisation channels for uptake. Given the above background, this study was conducted to train farmers on agro-processing of cowpea into different menus. The training will improve dietary intake of farmers in addition to enhanced dietary diversity to ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on solemaize diets. This study reports on the training conducted for one hundred and twenty five farmers on agro-processing of cowpea to produce different novel products. Different recipes were employed to produce the products. Results show that 125 farmers were trained on the preparation of Akara and Moin-moin, porridge and fortification of cereal-based meals with cowpea products. The training increased the knowledge and skills of farmers on preparation of novel menus that never existed in South Africa, which will increase their dietary intake to enhance dietary diversity as well as ameliorate the problem of malnutrition and over dependence on sole maize diets. The training will also enhance the market channels for cowpea production, which will increase the demand and supply of cowpea in addition to enhanced food security and nutrition. It is recommended that such training on the novel products be extended to schools, restaurants, correctional services, hospitals and other provinces in South Africa for a greater impacts

IMPACT OF WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION COWPEA PROJECT ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF CROPPING SYSTEMS AND NUTRITION OF FARMERS IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Two pilot surveys were conducted to assess the status of cultural practices, the diversity of crops grown and diet, training and skill development, as well as the daily diet eaten among the farmers in the study areas (Ga-Thaba and Bela-Bela). The purpose of the pre-project commencement survey (Survey 1) was to enable the project team to ascertain whether there was any gap or felt needs that the project could execute. In light of this, Survey 1 was conducted to determine the status of the cropping systems, crops grown, constraints to production, and dietary intakes in the communities at the initiation of the project. This ascertained the potential gaps or needs that the project could accomplish in the communities. The other survey, the post-project execution survey (Survey 2) was to assess whether there were positive changes or impacts at the end of the project stemming from the activities of the project in the areas of cultural practices, crop diversity, dietary intake and nutrition of farmers, training of farmers, constraints to production, utilisation and uptake of the benefits. During surveys 1 and 2, a total of 42 and 50 farmers were sampled from Ga-Thaba and Bela-Bela communities, respectively in 2015 at the initiation of the project and in 2019 at the completion of the project. Results arising from the sampled farmers indicate that from the variables measured during Survey 1, significant information or gaps as the dire needs of the farmers were identified which showed that the project was relevant for the study areas. In addition, the results from Survey 2 indicate that the project was appropriate to meet the needs of the farmers, filling the gaps identified during Survey 1. This implied that the project was successfully able to attain the stated objectives and added value to the livelihoods of the farmers in terms of crop diversification, the dietary intakes and diversity, training and skill development to empower and improve the communities on rural livelihoods, food security and nutrition

IMPACT OF WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION COWPEA PROJECT ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF CROPPING SYSTEMS AND NUTRITION OF FARMERS IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Two pilot surveys were conducted to assess the status of cultural practices, the diversity of crops grown and diet, training and skill development, as well as the daily diet eaten among the farmers in the study areas (Ga-Thaba and Bela-Bela). The purpose of the pre-project commencement survey (Survey 1) was to enable the project team to ascertain whether there was any gap or felt needs that the project could execute. In light of this, Survey 1 was conducted to determine the status of the cropping systems, crops grown, constraints to production, and dietary intakes in the communities at the initiation of the project. This ascertained the potential gaps or needs that the project could accomplish in the communities. The other survey, the post-project execution survey (Survey 2) was to assess whether there were positive changes or impacts at the end of the project stemming from the activities of the project in the areas of cultural practices, crop diversity, dietary intake and nutrition of farmers, training of farmers, constraints to production, utilisation and uptake of the benefits. During surveys 1 and 2, a total of 42 and 50 farmers were sampled from Ga-Thaba and Bela-Bela communities, respectively in 2015 at the initiation of the project and in 2019 at the completion of the project. Results arising from the sampled farmers indicate that from the variables measured during Survey 1, significant information or gaps as the dire needs of the farmers were identified which showed that the project was relevant for the study areas. In addition, the results from Survey 2 indicate that the project was appropriate to meet the needs of the farmers, filling the gaps identified during Survey 1. This implied that the project was successfully able to attain the stated objectives and added value to the livelihoods of the farmers in terms of crop diversification, the dietary intakes and diversity, training and skill development to empower and improve the communities on rural livelihoods, food security and nutrition