Why Songotra-T cowpea seeds availability is key for survival of farmers in Northern Ghana – Nsemkeka
Aminu Alhassan is a cowpea farmer from a small rural community in the Nanton District of Ghana’s Northern Region. For years, his greatest challenge wasn’t just growing crops—it was feeding his family. Despite lacking access to advanced tools or technology, Aminu’s determination set him apart. When a devastating Maruca infestation began ravaging cowpea farms in his area, Aminu became a leader, travelling across communities to secure pesticides for fellow farmers.
The turning point came when Aminu realised that traditional methods couldn’t stop the persistent attacks by Maruca vitrata, a pest known to destroy between 20% and 80% of cowpea yields. “I always wished there was a better way,” he said. One day, he ventured into a nearby community in search of answers—and found one.
There, he met an Agricultural Extension Agent from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture who introduced him to a newly developed genetically modified cowpea variety designed to resist Maruca vitrata. “This got me and my colleague, Mrs. Hanifatu, very excited,” he recalled. “I was now going to do farming as a business and not the hand-to-mouth kind of work I was doing.”
Aminu soon joined a group of farmers working with the CSIR–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) on the Songotra T Cowpea project. “I planted one acre of the Songotra T Cowpea during last year’s harsh drought, and the outcome was amazing,” he said. “While others harvested nothing from conventional seeds, I got something from the PBR Cowpea. I sprayed only twice instead of 12 times, saw no Maruca, and the cost of production was lower.”
He harvested between 9 to 10 kilograms and plans to expand his acreage. “Songotra T Cowpea is salvation for Ghanaian farmers battling pests and climate change,” he declared. But access remains a concern. “We’ve seen the results. Now we need timely access to seeds. MoFA and CSIR-SARI must ensure a nationwide distribution process.”
Dr. Jerry Nboyine, Principal Investigator for the BT Cowpea Project at CSIR-SARI in Nyankpala, explained the science behind the breakthrough. “Maruca vitrata is the most significant threat to cowpea production in Ghana,” he said. “It can cause yield losses of up to 80% by destroying flowers and pods.”
The BT Cowpea variety, approved in July 2023, has a built-in resistance. “When Maruca larvae try to feed on the plant’s flowers or pods, they die,” Dr. Nboyine said. This reduces the need for pesticides, with farmers spraying just twice per season to target other pests.
Field trials showed clear results. “Where conventional cowpea failed under drought conditions, the BT variety still yielded,” he said. In 2023, when rains were delayed in Northern Ghana, only farmers planting Songotra T Cowpea harvested successfully. “Seed companies that planted in late August managed to harvest, thanks to the early maturity and pest resistance traits.”
Dr. Nboyine said over 7,000 kg of breeder seed has been produced, and efforts are underway to scale up nationwide distribution. “We are committed to making high-quality Songotra T seeds accessible at standard MoFA prices,” he assured. Delivery can be arranged for buyers outside Tamale, including in Southern Ghana.
CSIR-SARI is partnering with licensed seed companies to ensure national coverage. “External partnerships are welcome, but our focus is on regulated distribution,” he added. “The future is bright, but right now, we must get this variety into the hands of every farmer who needs it.”
Abdulai Abdulai Rafael, CEO of Prosperity Farms, praised the innovation’s impact on both agriculture and the seed business. “We’ve handled Songotra and other varieties for years, but this one is different,” he said. “Farmers want yield without high spraying costs. If I can supply such seed, everyone benefits—the producer, the seller, and the farmer.”
Alhassan Alhassan Baba of Heritage Seeds Company Ltd confirmed that demand for Songotra T has steadily risen. “We’re multiplying certified seeds from breeder stock for wider distribution,” he said. “It’s not just pest resistance—it’s consistent yield under erratic rainfall. That’s what farmers want.”
So far, distribution has reached several districts in the Northern, Upper East, and Bono East regions. But farmers still worry about one thing—access. “Getting seeds on time remains a major challenge,” said one farmer. “Even when we’re ready and convinced by the innovation, distribution delays hold us back.”
The CSIR-SARI-led innovation has proven its worth. Now, large-scale multiplication and distribution are essential. “The solution is here. Farmers want it. Researchers have done their part,” said Aminu. “Now it’s time for government and MoFA to step in and support this process.”
The stakes are high. As pest pressure and climate change intensify, the story of the PBR Cowpea is not just about science. It’s about resilience, innovation, and feeding a nation.
“The world is split between those who cannot sleep because they are hungry and those who cannot sleep because they fear the hungry,” the story reminds us. “Let’s not allow this noble innovation to sit idle. Our actions shape our future—better production, better nutrition, a better life for all.”
Or, as Virginia Woolf once put it: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well.”