United States Agency for International Developmen

Abdul Rahman, N.

Akakpo, D.B.

Asante, M.

Hoeschle-Zeledon, Irmgard

Kotu, Bekele Hundie

Larbi, Asamoah

Mellon, S.B.

Abdul Rahman, Nurudeen

Mellon, S.

CGSpace

Insecticide spray regime effect on cowpea yield and financial returns in northern Ghana Kotu B.1, Abdul Rahman N.1, Larbi A.1,  Akakpo D. B.3, Asante M.1, Mellon S. B2, Hoeschle-Zeledon I.11International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) 2Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University - Wageningen, NetherlandsKey messages Spraying  insecticides three times would increase grain yield and net returns from cowpea production It also would reduce the probability getting lower returns and hence the technology would be more attractive to risk averse farmers. This poster is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. January 2017We thank farmers and local partners in Africa RISING sites for their contributions to this research. We also acknowledge the support of all donors which globally support the work of the CGIAR centers and their partners through their contributions to the CGIAR systemObjectives and approachIn this study, we compared the effect of a three spray regime to the conventional farmers’ practice (one spray) on yield and net financial returns of cowpea on-farm. The trial was conducted in three regions of northern Ghana for three consecutive years (2013-2015). A split plot design with eighteen replications was used. Two spray regimes (one spray and three sprays) were the main plots and 6 cowpea varieties (Sangotra, Apagbaala, Padituya, IT 99K 573-1-1, Zaayura, and farmers’ local variety) were the sub plots. Grain yield was measured and its gross return, return to labor per personday, benefit cost ratio and stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) were estimated. Key resultsSpraying regime by variety interaction effect and variety effect were not significant. Spraying cowpea three times had significant effects on grain yield (Fig. 1) and financial net return (Table 1) as compared to spraying only once. Grain yield increased by about 45% while the net financial return increased by nearly 96%. SERF results show that spraying three times is more risk efficient than spraying only once (Fig. 2). This holds true for farmers having different attitudes towards risk.Significance and scaling potentialSpraying  insecticides three times on cowpea increases grain yield and net returns. Since the technology is attractive to farmers’ having different attitudes towards risk it can enhance overall cowpea production and, if promoted, its role in reducing food security and poverty among smallholder farmers in the area will be high. However, precautions should be taken during the scaling to reduce the negative externalities which may be associated with the use of the insecticide.Spraying regime Gross margin (Ghc ha-1)Return to labor day-1 (Ghc) BCROne 508 9.1 1.4Three 1066 14.0 1.8s.e 36.77 0.34 0.13P-value 0.0086 0.0135 0.0148Figure 2: Comparison of spray regimes with respect to riskTable 1: Effect of spraying regime on  net financial returns Figure 1: Cowpea grain  yield as affected by spraying regime

Insecticide spray regime effect on cowpea yield and financial returns in northern Ghana

Insecticide Spray Regime Effect on Cowpea Yield and Financial Returns in Northern GhanaKotu B.1, Abdul Rahman N.1, Larbi A.1,  Akakpo D. B.3, Asante M.1, Mellon S. B3, Hoeschle-Zeledon I.21International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) - Tamale, Ghana2Interational Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) - Ibadan, Nigeria3Wageningen University - Wageningen, NetherlandsContact: b.kotu@cgiar.orgKey research activitiesA split plot design with eighteen replications across the threenorthern regions was used. Two spray regimes (one spray andthree sprays) were the main plots and 6 cowpea varieties(Sangotra, Apagbaala, Padituya, IT 99K 573-1-1, Zaayura, andfarmers’ local variety) were the sub plots. Grain yield wasmeasured and its gross return, return to labor per person day,benefit cost ratio and stochastic dominance were estimated.Implications of the research for generating development outcomesResults and main findings• Spraying cowpea three times had significant effects on grainyield (Fig. 1)• Insecticide spraying regime affect gross margin, return tolabor per person day and benefit cost ratio (Table 1)• First degree stochastic dominance analysis also shows that thehigher spray regime is dominant over the lower spray regime(Fig. 2).Spraying insecticides three times on cowpea did not onlyincreases grain yield and net returns, but also reduces theprobability of getting lower yields and financial returns whichmakes it suitable to smallholder farmers who are usually riskaverse.Results from this study can be used for scaling-up activity inAfrica RISING phase 2 to improve cowpea productivity in innorthern Ghana.How this work would continue in Africa RISING phase 2The Africa Research In Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) program comprises three research-for-development projects supported by the United States Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative. Through action research and development partnerships, Africa RISING will create opportunities for smallholder farm households to move out of hunger and poverty through sustainably intensified farming systems that improve food, nutrition, and income security, particularly for women and children, and conserve or enhance the natural resource base.The three projects are led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (in West Africa and East and Southern Africa) and the International Livestock Research Institute (in the Ethiopian Highlands). The International Food Policy Research Institute leads an associated project on monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.www.africa-rising.net Current : Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA)Future: Agricultural Technology Transfer project (ATT)Current partnerships and future engagements for out scaling02004006008001000One Spray Three SprayGrainYield (kg/ha)Spraying Regime (Frequency)Fig. 1: Cowpea grain  yield as affected by spraying regimeSpraying regime (frequency)Gross margin (Ghc ha-1)Return to labor day-1 (Ghc) BCROne 508 9.1 1.4Three 1066 14.0 1.8s.e 36.77 0.34 0.13P-value 0.0086 0.0135 0.0148Table 1: Effect of spraying regime on  net financial returns 00.20.40.60.811.20 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000One spray Three spraysGross Margin (GhC/ha)Cumulative probabilityFig. 2: Stochastic dominance for spraying regime on cowpea$1= GHS 3.3  

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Insecticide spray regime effect on cowpea yield and financial returns in northern Ghana

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