Determinants of seed variety selection among cowpea farmers in Osun state, Nigeria

The importance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) in bridging the food gap in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Nutritionally, cowpea is a good source of protein for both human and livestock. It is also a source of income to farmers, serves as nitrogen fixation and cover crops thus improving the soil fertility of the marginal lands.1 The prospect for reducing hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity through increase in cowpea productivity is significant.2 In other to realise the goal, there is need to increase the output of cowpea. Among ways of achieving the goal is selection of appropriate seed input to enhance farm productivity, profitable production system and optimal return to farmers. For sustainability of smallholder farmers, increased use of inputs (seeds, chemicals and fertilizers) is of paramount importance. In sub-Saharan Africa, purchased input use is very low and static over the last 20 years or so.3