Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp, is an important food grain legume in Niger facing production losses due to insect pests. This study aims to determine the efficiency of non-chemical methods for managing these pests. A trial was conducted during the 2020 and 2022 cropping seasons at the INRAN station in the Maradi region. A Fischer experimental design with 6 repetitions was used to compare 4 treatments: synthetic chemical pesticide; the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana; aqueous extracts of neem seeds, and control. Observations were carried out every three days. The cowpea pod-sucking bug, pod borer, and thrips were the main insect pests recorded. In terms of effectiveness, the synthetic pesticide was the best treatment. It reduced insect pest densities by 71.35% to 90.40% in 2020 and by 35.11% to 42.13% in 2022. Grain yields varied between treatments. Neem seed extract followed the synthetic pesticide and significantly reduced insect infestations in both years. The synthetic pesticide and neem seed extract resulted in yields 3 to 5 times higher than the control treatment in 2020. By contrast, B. bassiana 115 and neem seed extract produced similar yields in 2022. Therefore, the results of this study showed that B. bassiana 115 and neem seed extract have insecticidal potential and could be used as an ecological alternative for managing cowpea insect pests in the Sahel.

Description du sujet. La production du chou pommé constitue une source importante de revenu et d’alimentation au Niger mais sa culture fait face à de nombreuses contraintes. Objectif. Cette étude vise à analyser les pratiques paysannes de production et à identifier ses contraintes dans la commune de Droum au Niger. Méthodes. Une enquête par questionnaire auprès de 160 producteurs a permis de collecter les données sur le profil socio-économique, les pratiques culturales, l’utilisation des intrants, l’irrigation, les ravageurs, la production, l’écoulement de la production et les revenus. Résultats. Les résultats montrent que la majorité des producteurs sont des hommes (96,0 %), âgés en moyenne de 43 ans, cultivant de petites superficies (0,56 ha en moyenne) et utilisant principalement des semis à la volée, des outils traditionnels et des variétés locales. La fertilisation repose essentiellement sur les engrais organiques et l’irrigation est assurée par puisettes et motopompes. Les principales contraintes sont le coût élevé des intrants, le manque de formation, l’insuffisance des moyens financiers et les attaques de ravageurs, notamment le ver gris. Les producteurs vendent majoritairement leur récolte entre 5 000 et 6 000 FCFA par sac de 100 kg, avec des fluctuations saisonnières importantes. Conclusion. Il est important de renforcer l’encadrement des producteurs afin d’accéder aux intrants, crédits agricoles et organisations collectives pour améliorer la productivité et la rentabilité de cette filière. Analysis of peasant practices and constraints to the production of headed cabbage (Brassica oleracea) in the commune of Droum, Zinder region, Niger Background. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) production represents an important source of income and food security in Niger, but its cultivation faces numerous constraints. Objective. This study aims to analyze farmers’ production practices and identify the constraints affecting cabbage cultivation in the commune of Droum, Niger. Methods. A survey of 160 producers using a structured questionnaire was conducted to collect data on socio-economic profiles, cultural practices, use of inputs, irrigation, pests, production, marketing, and income. Results. The results show that the majority of producers are men (96.0 %), with an average age of 43 years, cultivating small areas (0.56 ha on average), and primarily using broadcast sowing, traditional tools, and local varieties. Fertilization is mainly based on organic fertilizers, and irrigation is performed using buckets and motor pumps. The main constraints identified are high input costs, lack of training, limited financial resources, and pest attacks, notably the grey worm. Most producers sell their harvest at 5,000–6,000 FCFA per 100-kg bag, with significant seasonal price fluctuations. Conclusion. Strengthening support for producers through access to inputs, agricultural credit, and collective organizations is crucial to improve the productivity and profitability of this sector.

Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is the Sahelian crop par excellence due to its adaptation to the particular production conditions in this region. Unfortunately, in recent years this crop has been threatened by very strong parasitic pressure and drought during the production period. The objective of this study is to analyze the main constraints of millet production and the solutions known to producers. A survey was carried out in November 2022 with a sample of 298 producers in five municipalities in the Tahoua region. The main constraints are drought and pressure from crop pests (locust, millet ear miner, floricultural insects) according to 57.9% of respondents. The millet ear miner is the most formidable pest according to 55% of respondents. Thus, the average yield obtained in a year of good production without the leafminer is 194 kg/ha and that obtained in a year of millet ear leafminer is around 27 kg to 43 kg/ha depending on the municipality. The yield obtained this last campaign after the attack of this leafminer varies from 64 to 77 kg/ha depending on the municipalities compared to a potential yield of over 1000 kg/ha. More than half of producers (58.1%) are unaware of the existence of biological control compared to only 12.5% who are aware of this alternative method. Work to popularize this technology is necessary in the five municipalities and the entire region in general.

Cereals and legumes constitute the staple foods in both urban and rural areas, and the main cereals and legume products in the Sahel region are millet, sorghum, maize, and cowpea. The small-scale processors of those products are facing storage and good packaging challenges. Triple hermetic bag technology is effective for the conservation of many stored grains against insect spoilage in Africa and around the world. This study aimed to examine the performance of the high-density polyethylene Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bags (HDPE, 80 microns thick) for the preservation of processed cereals (broken corn, millet pellet, and sorghum dagué) and legume (broken cowpea) products against insects of storage. In addition, the impact of this technology on the physical and functional parameters of the processed products (moisture content, pH, water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, and bulk density) after 6 months of storage was carried out. Rhizopertha dominica was revealed to be the damaging storage pest in the product of millet pellet and broken corn with the average number of live insects of 121.33 and 0.66, respectively, in experimentally designed bags. Significant differences (P < 0.01) and (P < 0.01) are found among the results of functional and physical properties tested on these processed products, using PICS bags versus other storage types of bags. The use of triple hermetic bag technology for storage of processed cereals and legume products has shown protection against damaging insects and preserved their physical and functional properties qualities.

The insect pests of cowpea, Vignaunguiculata L. Walper, is one of the constraints which affect the cultivation this crop in Africa. The pod sucking bug Clavigrallatomentosicollis(Stål), the flower thripsMegallurothripssjöstedti(Trybom) and the pod borer Marucavitrata(Fabricius) are the main insect pests whose damage causes considerable yield losses on cowpea crop. In this study, neem Azadirachtaindica based biopesticides and the entomopathogenBeauveriabassiana(Bals.) Vuill were tested todeterminetheir efficiency in the management of cowpea insect pests. The trials were established in a farming environment with producers in 15 villages of the Maradiregion during three consecutive cropping seasons 2020, 2021 and 2022. The experimental design is the Fisher block with 4 treatments (Neem grain, B. bassiana, Chemical pesticide and the control without treatment) and two repetitions per site. The results for this studybiopesticide treatments (Neem grains and entomopathicfungus B. bassiana) reduced the insect pest damageof 73.21% and a yields increase of 104.12% compared to the control treatment. . Neem was effective as the synthetic chemical pesticide in the management of insect pests as it reduced the populations of M. sjöstedti, M. vitrata and C. tomentosicollis by 67.29, 70.57 and 71.26%respectively. This Neem biopesticide resulted a yield increase of 140.33% on cowpea for the three years of the study. Thus, for low-income producers, neem is an available resource that can constitute an effective and ecological alternative for managing cowpea insect pests in the Sahel.

This article assesses the impacts of agroecological technologies adoption on the agricultural yields and incomes for millet and cowpea producers in Niger from both Maradi and Zinder regions. For this purpose, a set of descriptive statistics methods are applied to data collected from 1950 producers from 80 villages. Results indicate that the density of semi, HPK variety, compost and IT 90 variety are the most adopted agroecological technologies with respective adoption rates of 87%, 69%, 64.3% and 64%. Moreover, results show that millet producers that adopted agro-ecological technologies have on average multiplied by 2.00 and 2.96 times their production, in Zinder and Maradi regions respectively. Besides, findings reveal that cowpea producers that adopted agro-ecological technologies have on average multiplied by 2.00 and 3.21 times their production, in Zinder and Maradi regions respectively. Finally, results support that the improvement in millet and cowpea yields has led to increase in producers’ total income by 2 and 3 times respectively in Zinder and Maradi regions. Since agroecological technologies improve agricultural yields and income, we suggest policy makers to recommend their adoption and diffusion.

Cowpea productivity in West Africa is low due to several challenges, including limited access to high-quality seeds. Despite the development of improved varieties, smallholder farmers face difficulties in accessing certified seeds. This study interviewed 634 households in south-central Niger to assess how farmers access cowpea seeds. Most farmers (94.6%) relied on informal seed systems, with local markets being the primary source (72.8%). The formal seed sector, including the private sector, had a limited role. Farmers typically stored seeds for seven months utilizing pesticides (54.9%) and hermetic methods (42.6%). Interestingly, the price of seeds of improved cowpea varieties in local markets was 1.19 times higher than that of local varieties, but only 25% of the cost of certified seeds. Interventions to strengthen informal seed systems and improve access to credit could enhance the adoption of high-quality cowpea seeds and increase productivity.

Millet, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. provides the main food supply for the Sahelian populations.The pearl millet head miner (MHM) Heliocheilus albipunctella De Joannis is one of the main pests of this cereal crop.Biological control with augmentative releases of the ectoparasite Habrobracon hebetor Say is one of the methods advocated in recent years to protect crops.This study was conducted in the regions of Dosso, Maradi and Zinder to assess farmers' perception of this ecological technology and to determine the factors influencing its adoption.It covered six (6) communes including Guéchémé, Doutchi, Chadakori, Sherkin Hausa, Droum and Bandé.A questionnaire was administered to 360 producers who had benefited from the technology and were randomly selected from 24 villages.The results showed that 85% of the respondents appreciated biological control, with an adoption rate of 63%.The analyses with the Logit model revealed the socio-economic determinants of the adoption of biological control.These are mainly: a) level of education; b) incidence of millet earworm; c) yield after the release of parasitoids; d) effectiveness of parasitoids in managing millet earworm populations; e) reduction of losses; f) social peace; g) access to credit, and h) family burden.

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) (Walpers, 1842), is an important legume for food and nutrition security, and income generation. Despite decade-long efforts to disseminate improved varieties, cowpea productivity remains low in Niger. This is due, in part, to the limited adoption of improved cowpea varieties among farmers. Increasing the adoption of improved cowpea varieties requires a better understanding of farmers' preferred genotype traits and socio-economic factors that influence their decision. We interviewed 634 farmers from the south-central regions (Maradi and Zinder) of Niger to assess factors that influence their decision to adopt improved cowpea varieties. The average age of the respondent was 41 years with 29 years of farming experience. Eight improved cowpea varieties were grown by these farmers with average adoption rates ranging from 3.3 to 38.0%. Genotype traits that influenced farmers' decision to adopt improved cowpea varieties included early maturing (86.9%), high yielding (73.9%), and high market value (50.5%). Socio-economic factors that significantly influenced adoption were age, gender, membership in a farmers' organization, and contact with the extension services. Adoption is constrained by the limited availability of cowpea varieties with farmers' preferred genotypes traits. Farmers' preferences for genotype traits must be considered in the early stages of breeding programs and the release of new varieties to increase adoption. Stakeholders involved in the cowpea value chain can use this information to improve cowpea adoption and productivity.

Heliocheilusalbipunctella de Joannis est un ravageur endemique de la zone sahelienne qui occasionne dimportants degats sur la culture de mil. Durant les saisons pluviales 2016 a 2018, une etude relative a ses infestations a ete conduite dans la bande sud agricole du Niger. Des pieges lumineux ont ete installes dans 9 localites des regions de Maradi, Tahoua et Tillabery. Des donnees sur les populations embryonnaires et larvaires ont ete collectees dans la region de Maradi au niveau des 2 villages en 2016 et 3 villages en 2017. Les resultats ont montre que 1) lemergence des papillons de H. albipunctella a debutee 58,22 jours apres semis, correspondant a la troisieme decade de juillet et leur vol a dure 33,37 jours. 2) Les premieres infestations du mil ont ete observees au debut aout par la presence des Å“ufs et des jeunes larves du ravageur sur les epis emerges. 3) Les Å“ufs ont ete observes sur les epis durant 24,78 jours et les larves pendant 44,5 jours. 4) Il est note un delai dau moins deux semaines entre lapparition des jeunes larves et lobservation des premiers signes de degats du ravageur. Ces informations peuvent contribuer a la planification de la lutte preventive et la gestion efficace de ce ravageur.

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (jujube) is a valuable commercial fruit crop that is delicious and an effective herbal remedy. In the Sahel region of Africa, the jujube fruits are harvested from the wild and eaten dry. Postharvest management poses challenges due to insects, which leads to the degradation of the quality of the fruits. We assessed the performance of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags for preserving dried jujube fruits from three regions of Niger. After four months of storage, we measured infestation levels, sugar content, and organoleptic parameters. Insect (Aubeus himalayanus Voss) population (though low at the beginning) and the number of fruits with holes increased in polypropylene (PP, control) bags by 100 to 212.50% and 7.58 to 12.96%, respectively. The fruit weight loss in PP treatments ranged from 4.64 to 9.94%. In PICS bags, however, pest infestations and damages were comparable to those observed at the initial stage. No significant differences were observed in sugar content of dried jujube fruits kept in PICS and PP bags after four months of storage. No changes were seen in the quality and organoleptic properties of jujube fruits stored in PICS bags; however, they appeared to decrease in PP bags. PICS bags can be effectively used to preserve the quality of dried jujube fruits in the Sahel.

Soybean seed quality is affected by high relative humidity (r.h.) during storage in the humid tropics resulting in loss of germination. This study assessed the effectiveness of hermetic bags in preserving soybean seed quality when stored at high r.h. over three months. Treatments consisted of Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) and control polypropylene (PP) woven bags kept at 30 and 80% r.h. Moisture content and germination were measured each month. Moisture content did not change, except in seed stored in PP bag at 80% r.h. where it more than doubled after one month. There was no significant difference in germination rates between soybean seed stored in PICS bags at 30 and 80% r.h. over three months. Soybean seed stored in PP bag at 30% r.h. had germination rates similar to those observed in PICS bags at 30 and 80% r.h., except after the third month where it significantly decreased compared to PICS bags at 30%. Germination rates of soybean seed stored in PICS at 30% and 80%, and PP bags at 30% decreased by about 3, 6, and 7%, respectively. However, the germination rates of soybean seed stored in PP bags at 80% r.h. dropped by 98% after three months. There was a significant negative correlation of-80.6% (Pearson correlation) between moisture content and seed germination. Farmers and seed producers/traders in the humid tropics can safely preserve soybean seed using commercially available hermetic bags.

La diffusion des technologies améliorées par l’approche champ école paysan (CEP) interroge sur le taux d’adoption par les producteurs. L’objectif de cette étude et de connaître les déterminants de l’adoption des technologies et son impact sur le rendement et le revenu agricole. Il a été interviewé 380 producteurs dont 150 apprenants de CEP, 150 producteurs n’ayant pas participé au processus mais résidants des villages CEP et 80 producteurs des villages témoins. Le modèle de régression Logit a été utilisé pour l’analyse des données. Il ressort de cette étude que l’approche CEP influence l’adoption des technologies. Cette adoption a permis une augmentation de rendement du mil de 99 % et de celui du niébé de 136 % ainsi qu’une hausse de revenu de 97 % pour le mil et 120 % pour le niébé. Les facteurs déterminant les résultats de ce travail pourront être mis à profit pour renforcer les programmes de vulgarisation de technologies agricoles de production. Mots clés: Diffusion, pratique agricole, CEP, Maradi, Zinder

On-farm preservation of wheat flour is a challenge due to insect pests and high relative humidity. This experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of hermetic bags in preserving wheat flour stored by women during the wintertime when relative humidity is high. Forty women (households) from two districts in Herat province, Afghanistan, stored their wheat flour for 6 months. Each woman stored 25 kg of wheat flour in a Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag and a polypropylene (PP) woven bag. Moisture content, insect population, flour color, bread taste, and profitability of storage were assessed. Moisture content and insect population significantly increased in PP bags after six months of storage, while no changes were observed in PICS bags. There was a significant negative correlation between wheat flour color and moisture content (r = −70.7, p < 0.001) and insect population (r = −79.9, p < 0.001). Wheat flour stored in PICS bags for 6 months retained its color and produced better bread than that stored in PP bags. Storing wheat flour in PICS bags for six months showed a return on investments (ROI) of +16.9% against −33% for the PP bag. Farm households and other wheat value chain actors can safely store wheat flour in hermetic bags for up to six months under high relative humidity conditions. This would help improve food security for millions of wheat consumers in developing countries.

Postharvest management of grain and seed is a challenge among smallholder farmers. Limited information is available on how smallholder farmers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who have been exposed to multiple conflicts, manage grain and seed after harvest. We interviewed 690 smallholder farmers in Lubero (Baswagha chiefdom) and Rutshuru (Bwisha and Bwito chiefdoms) territories of the North Kivu province of the DRC to assess how they dried and stored their crops. Results reveal that 95% and 80% farmers produced beans and maize, respectively. About half of respondents in Bwisha grew soybean, suggesting production diversification using conflict-resistant crops to minimize thefts and looting. Rotting and theft were the major challenges during field drying, while insects (81.3%) were the most important issue during storage. Sixty-six percent of farmers did not protect their grain during storage, exposing it to insect damage. Farmers producing beans in both Bwisha and Bwito, farmers storing beans and maize, and those storing for more than three months were more likely to protect their grains during storage. More than 70% of farmers saved seed for planting the next season but suffered significant weight losses of up to 50% due to insects. Storing grain in hermetic bags for six months had an estimated return on investments of up to 63% for maize in Baswagha and 54% for beans in Bwisha. Improved drying and storage technologies would help smallholder farmers to reduce their grain postharvest losses due to mold, theft, and insects. Smallholder farmers using these improved postharvest technologies have the opportunity to secure quality grain for home consumption and sale, and seed for planting.

Cowpea production in Niger is constrained by biotic and abiotic factors that lead to lower yields and incomes for smallholder farmers. For decades now, efforts have been made to improve cowpea production, including the development and release of improved varieties that are high yielding and resistant or tolerant to pests and diseases. The present study assessed cowpea production constraints on 584 smallholders' farms in Maradi and Zinder regions of Niger. Estimated parameters consisted of farm size, varieties used and pests and disease prevalence. We found that the average farm size for both regions was 2.10 ha. Local varieties (63%) and IT90K 372-1-2 (30.5%), an improved variety released 25 years ago, were the most-cultivated cowpea varieties. Two recently introduced varieties were planted on less than 4% of fields. Cowpea was grown in association with millet and sorghum on 96.6% of fields. Average cowpea yield for both regions was 253.4 kg ha(-1). Five major insect pests and the plant parasite Striga, identified as major production constraints, were negatively correlated with cowpea yields. Diseases were significantly and negatively associated with cowpea yields. To increase cowpea productivity, there is a need to develop and/or promote adapted high-yielding varieties, and to disseminate good agricultural practices to minimize the incidence of pests and diseases.

Cowpea is a food security crop and a main source of income for farmers in Niger. However, postharvest storage remains a major challenge due to insect pest attacks. Since 2008, the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags were disseminated in Niger to reduce storage losses. This study was conducted to assess the adoption of the PICS technology in the Dosso, Maradi, and Zinder regions of Niger. We interviewed 600 households selected from villages that did and did not benefit from PICS extension activities. A logit regression model was used to assess the decision of farmers to adopt the PICS technology. The overall adoption of the PICS bags among farmers was 48.4%. PICS adoption was 69.7% in Dosso, 41.3% in Zinder, and 31.2% in Maradi. Farmers who attended PICS training were 5 times more likely to adopt the technology than those who did not. Variables that affected the adoption of the PICS technology included the region, participation in PICS training, and information source. Beyond cowpea, PICS bags were used to store a variety of crops including Bambara nuts, hibiscus seeds, peanuts, millet, and sorghum. Storing 100 kg of cowpea in a PICS bag generated a cash flow of $70.38 per respondent and a net return of $21.50. Revenues generated from sales of cowpea stored in PICS bags were mostly used for health expenditures and to purchase agricultural inputs. Results of this study demonstrate that pest management technologies such as PICS bags can also contribute to improving the livelihood of family farms.