Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

The Research project is implemented under the Centre of Innovation for Crop Improvement for East and Southern Africa (CICI-ESA), funded by USAID- FEED THE FUTURE. It is the three (3) year project started in 2020/2021.

GOAL OF THE PROJECT: To improve cowpea productivity through the development of cowpea varieties with   consumer preferred, market driven, gender, youth and resilient inclusive traits to enhance food and nutrition security of smallholder farmers in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.

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SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. Conduct comprehensive gender sensitive value chain analysis to understand specific gender dynamics in the cowpea value chain

2.  To characterize phenotypic and genomic diversity of cowpea germplasm to identify traits that are farmer and consumer preferred, market demand driven, gender, youth and resilient responsive

3.  To develop and select more productive and nutritious cowpea lines for resilient cropping systems of smallholder farmers

4.  To build and strengthen the capacity of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania breeding programs through targeted training and infrastructure development

OUTPUTS

1. Gender and youth responsive cowpea traits identified

2. Comprehensive Gender Analysis and Priority setting

3. Gender sensitive cowpea value chain mapped

4. Cowpea germplasm thoroughly characterized, evaluated and   documented for unique trait

5. Consumer preferred and gender responsive cowpea varieties developed 

6. Increased skills and competences on gender responsive breeding at MSc and PhD levels Project staff trained in gender responsive breeding, bioinformatics

OUTCOME

Researchers integrate gender, youth and consumer preferred traits into cowpea breeding programs for resilient livelihoods