Impact of the Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage Technology on the Income of Cowpea Farmers in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the potential impact of Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) technology on the income of users in north central states of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure involved selection of 3 Local Government Areas (LGAs) each from 18 senatorial districts of six states, 108 villages. Thereafter 2,220 cowpea PICs stakeholders comprising 1,240 farmers and 960 traders were randomly selected by balloting technique. The study used primary data and structured questionnaire to interview users and non-users of PICS bag. Descriptive statistics, double difference estimator, propensity score matching (PSM) and logic model were used to analyze the data. The result showed a positive mean difference of ₦1,205.12 per 50 kg bag (p<0.01) in income between users and non-users before and after adoption of PICS technology. The result of logit model revealed that variables age, education status, employment status, income and quantity of cowpea used in the analysis were significant at different level of probability. The PSM adjusted with constant coefficient value of 1.000 was statistically significant at 1% level. Thus, the PICS technology was a better strategy adopted by farmers/traders to increase their income and improve their standard of living. Since majority of farmers and traders are young and educated, trainings, workshops and sensitization should be encouraged. This can be effectively done through Agricultural Development Programmes (ADP), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and attending farmer’s stakeholders meeting for sensitization. Keywords — Cowpea, impact, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), Purdue.