ABSTRACT
The study was carried out in the Dormaa Ahenkro
District of Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana to assess the effect of different
storage methods on some quality characteristics of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
grains of Nhyria, Tona and Soronko which were identified as the most popular
cultivated varieties in the district. Purposive sampling was used in the
selection of the five (5) communities from Dormaa Ahenkro district to
participate in the research. The communities selected were Kosane, Asikesu,
Atesikrom, Besease and Badukrom. However, simple randomized sampling was used
to select ten (10) farmers from each community and fifty (50) cowpea marketers,
of which twenty two (22) were wholesalers and twenty eight (28) were retailers.
The study determined the effect of different storage methods on the proximate
and mineral composition. Other quality characteristics such as live insect
count, dead insect and grains with holes were also assessed during the three
(3) month of storage. Proximate and mineral composition was carried out on the
cowpea varieties before storage. The storage methods; drum (with no chemical),
drum with phosphine tablet and hermetic bag. Majority (50%) of the active
farmers was within the age ranged of 30 - 40 years and that of the cowpea
marketers were 20-29 years. Majority (70%) of the farmers had secondary
education. The field survey revealed five varieties under cultivation by the
farmers. They were; “Uganda” (white with black-eye), “Mallam adamu” (red),
“Soronko variety, Nhyira variety and Tona variety. The major storage methods
used were storage rooms (10%), nylon bags (40%), empty drum (36%) and hermetic
bag (4%). Ninety two (92%) of those that stored their produce in storage rooms
do regular spraying to prevent disease and pest infestation. Thirty two (32%)
of the marketers (wholesalers and retailers) adopted good sanitation measures
to prevent disease and pest infestation. The major challenges during storage
are disease and pest attack (80%), theft (16%) and not well dried cowpea
grains (4%).The live insect count for the three varieties ranged from (0.74–
0.82) with no significant difference occurring among the varieties. Mortality
rate was higher in the Nhyira cowpea variety during the three (3) month of
storage period. It was observed that 68% and 8% of the marketers (wholesalers
and retailers) used actellic, used phosphine tablet respectively. The high
crude protein, crude fibre, moisture and ash content before and after storage
suggested that the differences observed are mainly genetic. The low level of
reduction in cowpea grain quality in terms of available live insect, dead
insect and grains with holes was correlated to the level of infestation by the Callosobruchus
maculatus.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Cowpea is a food grain legume that
plays an important role in the lives of millions of people in Africa and other
parts of the developing world. The crop is also a valuable and dependable
commodity that produces income for many small holder farmers and traders in
Sub-Saharan Africa (Langyintuo et al., 2003). In West Africa, cowpea is grown
mostly in subsistence farming systems and on a small scale in the lowland dry
Savannah and Sahelian regions. However, cowpea cropping systems are changing to
monocropping as the crop’s economic importance increases. The cultivation of
cowpea in Ghana is carried out mostly in the transitional zone of northern
guinea savannah zone of Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. The major
season for cowpea cultivation is from May to August. However, a few resourceful
farmers who can protect their cowpea plants against field pests plant around
late July or early August, and harvest in October. Production of cowpea in
Ghana is among the lowest in the world in terms of yield, averaging 310 kg/ha
(IITA, 2009). Hence, efforts have been made to improve cowpea production in
Ghana through various means including the introduction of new varieties.
In Africa, cowpea is the most
popular legume and the largest part of the world production originates from
this continent. Cowpea is adapted to stressful environments where other crops
fail. It is a food security crop in the semiarid zone of West and Central
Africa (WCA) which ensures farm household subsistence food supply even in dry
years. Recently, FAO, (2009) estimated the world production area as 5.6 million
hectare, of which at least 90% is in West and Central Africa, and the annual
world grain production is estimated at 2.7 million tonnes. World cowpea production was estimated at 3 319
375 MT and 75% of that production is from Africa (FAOSTAT, 2000). The principal
cowpea producing countries are Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Ghana, Mali, and
Burkina Faso (FAOSTAT, 2000). Nigeria is the largest cowpea producer in West
Africa. Post-harvest insect pest of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in
sub-Saharan Africa is one of the major factors that reduce the nutritional
quality and economic value of the grain (FAOSTAT, 2000). In anticipation of
losses during storage producers sell at harvest when the price is lowest. The
principal pest is the cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), but other
bruchids cause losses as well. The losses have been attributed to improper
methods used in grain storage. The high losses occurring after storage compels
wholesalers and retailers not to buy in large quantities and store for future
sale/usage. Many cowpea chain agents are not sure of what storage methods to
use to reduce economic losses. The nutritional benefits associated with cowpea
consumption are clear and cannot be over emphasized. Since cowpea is locally
consumed in so many forms in Ghana, there is the need to derive maximum benefit
from its production to boost the nutritional needs of the populace. The various
stakeholders involved in the distribution chain therefore needs information on
the various storage methods and how they impact the quality of the grains after
storage especially Nhyira, Asomdwee, Adom, Soronko and Tona varieties which is
the most preferred varieties and highly nutritious in Ghana. As a result of
these uncertainties further research is needed to identify an acceptable
storage method and establish the possible effects of the various storage
methods on the quality of cowpea grains.
The main objective of this
research, therefore, was to determine the effect of different storage methods
(traditional use of empty drum, the use of phosphine tablet and the use of
hermetic bag) on the quality characteristics of Tona, Nhyira and Soronko cowpea
grains.
The specific objectives were to
determine the;
i. Various storage methods
(traditional use of empty drum, the use of phosphine tablet and the use of
hermetic bag) used by farmers and cowpea dealers in the Dormaa Ahenkro district
ii. Storage methods (traditional use of
empty drum, the use of phosphine tablet and the use of hermetic bag) that best
preserves cowpea (Tona, Nhyira and Soronko) grains quality during storage.
iii. Effect of the various storage
methods on the proximate and mineral composition of cowpea grains after storage
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