A common problem for farmers in developing countries is soil erosion, this is especially true for
Nepal as it is a very mountainous country with more than 80% of its land being on mountains
[5]. Cowpea is well known as being a cover crop, and is able to protect soil from many types of
erosion [3]. By using Cowpea as a cover crop farmers are able to significantly reduce the
amount of weeds in their fields, therefore increasing yields and reducing labour [3]. As weeding
is often the job of women and children, removing this task allows for a more productive use of
their time. Additionally, Cowpea is a legume meaning that it fixes nitrogen in the soil [4]. Many
farmers in developing countries struggle with poor soil, and low yields as a result of bad soil
conditions. Cowpea is used today as a rotation crop by Nepalese farmers to improve soil quality
Another benefit to Nepalese farmers in growing Cowpea is that they do not need to fear low
yields from drought as Cowpea is highly drought tolerant [6]. Nepalese farmers would be able to
use Cowpea as an intercrop, due to ability to fix nitrogen as already noted, and the observation
that Cowpea has moderate shade tolerance making it a good companion crop. In addition
Cowpea attracts certain insects that are beneficial to farmers, making it even more of a great
potential companion crop to be used [6]. Lastly, Cowpea is a very good green manure, and can
be used as a to further improve the quality of the soil[4]. The high protein content (18-35%) and
high carbohydrate content (50-65%) can be very beneficial to families as a relatively cheap
source of human energy [1].
However there are some difficulties when it comes to growing Cowpea.
One issue often experienced by poor farmers is when it comes to storing or shipping their
produce. This is because they may not have proper storage or transportation methods and
therefore leave their produce susceptible to insect infestation [7]. This concern can be alleviated
by a product called Purdue Improved Crop Storage, which is an inexpensive storage bag made
from plastic and is used to store Cowpea and other crops. The Purdue website states that “If 50%
of cowpea grain at the farm level were put into airtight storage (PICS bags are one type), overall
annual income in the region would increase by $255 million.” [8]. This means that farmers
would be able to store some of their crop for use later in the year, meaning they would not have
to sell it all and could further benefit from this business by either selling more of the crop, sell at
a later time when commodity prices are higher or having more food for themselves.
Nepal as it is a very mountainous country with more than 80% of its land being on mountains
[5]. Cowpea is well known as being a cover crop, and is able to protect soil from many types of
erosion [3]. By using Cowpea as a cover crop farmers are able to significantly reduce the
amount of weeds in their fields, therefore increasing yields and reducing labour [3]. As weeding
is often the job of women and children, removing this task allows for a more productive use of
their time. Additionally, Cowpea is a legume meaning that it fixes nitrogen in the soil [4]. Many
farmers in developing countries struggle with poor soil, and low yields as a result of bad soil
conditions. Cowpea is used today as a rotation crop by Nepalese farmers to improve soil quality
Another benefit to Nepalese farmers in growing Cowpea is that they do not need to fear low
yields from drought as Cowpea is highly drought tolerant [6]. Nepalese farmers would be able to
use Cowpea as an intercrop, due to ability to fix nitrogen as already noted, and the observation
that Cowpea has moderate shade tolerance making it a good companion crop. In addition
Cowpea attracts certain insects that are beneficial to farmers, making it even more of a great
potential companion crop to be used [6]. Lastly, Cowpea is a very good green manure, and can
be used as a to further improve the quality of the soil[4]. The high protein content (18-35%) and
high carbohydrate content (50-65%) can be very beneficial to families as a relatively cheap
source of human energy [1].
However there are some difficulties when it comes to growing Cowpea.
One issue often experienced by poor farmers is when it comes to storing or shipping their
produce. This is because they may not have proper storage or transportation methods and
therefore leave their produce susceptible to insect infestation [7]. This concern can be alleviated
by a product called Purdue Improved Crop Storage, which is an inexpensive storage bag made
from plastic and is used to store Cowpea and other crops. The Purdue website states that “If 50%
of cowpea grain at the farm level were put into airtight storage (PICS bags are one type), overall
annual income in the region would increase by $255 million.” [8]. This means that farmers
would be able to store some of their crop for use later in the year, meaning they would not have
to sell it all and could further benefit from this business by either selling more of the crop, sell at
a later time when commodity prices are higher or having more food for themselves.