On a sweltering afternoon in Nyankpala, Northern Region, Rashidatu Musah kneels between lush rows of cowpea plants. Unlike the withering fields she once tended, these crops stand tall, healthy, and green. Rashidatu, a teacher by profession and a farmer by passion, has spent years cultivating cowpea—a staple legume central to Ghanaian diets and rural livelihoods.
Yet, her farming journey was often fraught with disappointment: declining yields, pest invasions, and the rising cost of pesticides drained her finances and spirit.
“I used to cultivate one acre and harvest just about three bags and four bowls with the traditional cowpea,” Rashidatu recounted. “But with this new Songotra T cowpea, I now get up to four and a half bags from the same acre. The difference is remarkable.”
Her story is not unique. Across Ghana’s savannah, thousands of smallholder farmers are discovering the promise of the Songotra T cowpea—a genetically modified (GM) variety developed by scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI).
This variety is resistant to Maruca vitrata, the devastating pod-borer pest that has haunted cowpea farmers for decades. For Rashidatu and others, it is more than just a seed—it is a lifeline, a pathway to food security, and a crucial tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Cowpea is a staple crop in West Africa, often referred to as “poor man’s meat” because of its high protein content and affordability. In Ghana, it provides essential nutrition to millions of households, particularly in the northern regions where it thrives in semi-arid conditions. Yet, traditional varieties have struggled in recent decades.
Pests, particularly Maruca vitrata, can destroy up to 80% of yields if left unmanaged. To fight back, farmers like Rashidatu sprayed pesticides six or more times in a single season. But the financial burden was heavy. “I was spending too much on chemicals,” she said. “Sometimes, I applied pesticides twice before harvesting, and that was very costly.”
With Songotra T cowpea, that burden is lifted. “Now, I either spray once or not at all,” she explained. “The seed controls the pest itself. It saves me money and keeps my family safe from all the chemicals.”
For many smallholder farmers, the benefits of Songotra T cowpea go beyond pest resistance. Mohammed Abdulai, another farmer from the Northern Region, attested to the variety’s resilience against climate change.
“Climate change is here with us,” he said. “But this variety can withstand drought. You can cultivate it all season. This year, I planted in the first week of May, harvested, and planted again. The proceeds helped me buy fertilizer for my maize farm.”
For Mohammed, Songotra T is not just improving yields—it is enabling crop diversification, improving household income, and building resilience against unpredictable weather patterns.
At the heart of this agricultural revolution is the work of scientists like Dr. Jerry Nboyine, Principal Investigator for the Bt Cowpea Project at CSIR-SARI. Dr. Nboyine explained that the Songotra T variety is the result of years of research aimed at solving one of the most persistent challenges in cowpea production.
“Typically, with traditional varieties, farmers spray six to eight times in a season,” he said. “With Songotra T, farmers spray just twice. Yet, they still get superior yields.”
The variety works by incorporating a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring soil bacterium. This gene allows the plant to produce proteins that are toxic to Maruca pests but safe for humans and other non-target organisms. The result is a cowpea that resists infestation without the heavy reliance on chemical pesticides.
After years of confined field trials and regulatory processes, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture approved Songotra T cowpea in 2023. Since then, efforts to scale up seed production and distribution have accelerated.
“We worked with about eight seed companies to multiply seeds for farmers,” Dr. Nboyine explained. “At the beginning of the 2024 season, we had about 10,000 kilograms of seed available for distribution.”
Seed fields have been established across the Northern, Upper West, and Savannah regions to ensure a consistent supply. In Tamale alone, 21 acres of seed fields are dedicated to Songotra T, while other fields in Wa, Damango, and Tumu are also supporting multiplication. Farmers from as far as the Volta and Oti regions have requested seeds, signaling nationwide interest.
Despite its promise, the rollout of Songotra T has not been without resistance. Misinformation about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is widespread, with myths ranging from infertility to soil destruction.
Dr. Nboyine dismissed these fears. “The first GM crop was commercialized in 1996. That means next year will mark 30 years since people started consuming them. There has not been a single instance of the myths people claim. They are misconceptions, not facts.”
For him, the evidence lies in the growing confidence of farmers. “Your best customer is not the one who buys for the first time but the one who comes back again,” he said. “Many farmers who tried Songotra T have returned for more. That shows their trust.”
The benefits of Songotra T extend beyond the farmers’ fields. With fewer pesticides sprayed, the environment is spared from harmful chemicals. Beneficial insects like bees are preserved, soil and water contamination is reduced, and consumers enjoy safer food with less chemical residue.
Economically, the higher yields mean more cowpea is available for local consumption and for the market, reducing Ghana’s reliance on imports and conserving foreign exchange reserves. With cowpea being a staple in Ghanaian cuisine—from waakye to stews—this is no small feat.
The introduction of Songotra T cowpea directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 (No Poverty): By increasing yields and lowering costs, Songotra T boosts farmers’ incomes and reduces poverty in rural areas. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The variety enhances food security by providing higher, more reliable yields of a staple protein crop. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being): Reduced pesticide use protects farmers, consumers, and ecosystems from harmful chemicals.
The commercialization and distribution of seeds create business opportunities across the agricultural value chain towards achieving SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth. Its ability to withstand drought helps farmers adapt to the realities of climate change in line with Goal 13 on Climate Action.
As Ghana strives to achieve the SDGs by 2030, innovations like Songotra T cowpea represent the fusion of science, policy, and local knowledge in tackling one of humanity’s oldest challenges: how to feed a growing population sustainably. The promise is clear: with Songotra T cowpea in the hands of farmers, Ghana is not only securing its plates today but also building a resilient and food-secure tomorrow.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah
