Cowpea farmers in the Bono Region have appealed to the government for the development and release of more improved cowpea varieties that are pests and drought resistant to enhance cultivation and livelihood of farmers.
According to the farmers, the varieties of Cowpea, including Songotra T being cultivated by farmers were prone to pest's infestation resulting in low yields and farmers' income.
Mr Prince Sie, a 30-year-old Cowpea farmer at Banda Ahenkro, noted that farmers were losing a huge chunk of the crop to pest's infestation during production, thus compelling farmers to rely heavily on pesticides to control the menace.
The situation, he noted, was increasing cost of production and was inimical to the environment, hence the appeal to change the narrative.