At the beginning of this phase of the Bean/Cowpea CRSP in 1997, the West Africa regional advisors identified cowpea marketing as a key issue. After almost 2 decades of CRSP research in West Africa cowpea production technology and production economics were well known, but very little was know about consumer demand and the handling of cowpeas after they leave the farm.

In a general way it was known that cowpeas are part of an ancient trade that links humid coastal regions of West Africa with the more arid interior. In the humid areas, carbohydrate production is relatively easy (e.g. cassava, rice, plantain, maize, igname, etc.), but protein production is difficult because livestock diseases and pests problems on legumes. In the drier interior livestock production is abundant and legumes (mainly cowpea and groundnut) are less subject to insect problems. Hence, for centuries carbohydrates have moved north and protein (including cowpea) has moved south.

Understanding cowpea marketing within countries and trade linkages within the region is one key achieving CRSP goals. Cowpea breeders can select for a wide range of characteristics (e.g. size, color, skin texture, taste). Which characteristics are preferred by consumers in local markets, in near by urban areas and in coastal cities? Non-governmental organizations and cooperatives need to know information on how the trade works, if they are to develop effective marketing organizations. Food scientists need more information about consumer demand for processed cowpea products.

The CRSP marketing research effort is organized with an umbrella effort at Purdue University led by Lowenberg-DeBoer and his graduate students. By the end of the current CRSP phase in 2001, they hope to collect enough information to form a regional picture of cowpea trade. Primary data is being collected in the following countries:

• Cameroon - Cowpea price and quality data is being collected monthly in four markets in the Far North Province. It shows that large white cowpea command a price premium in Maroua markets, and that Cameroonian consumers are more aware of insect damage than previously thought. A preliminary cowpea market structure study shows that the primary trade in cowpeas from northern Cameroon is toward southern Cameroon, Gabon and Congo. Work in Cameroon is being coordinated by Dr. George Ntoukam, Institute for Agricultural Research for Developement (IRAD), Maroua. Basic cowpea price and production data for Cameroon can be down loaded in spreadsheet form.

• Ghana - Cowpea price and quality data has been collected month in three markets in northern Ghana since August, 1997. Initial research on market structure shows that much of the cowpea sold in Ghanaian markets is imported from either Burkina Faso or Niger. Augustine Langyintuo, Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) is coordinating data collection and analysis in Ghana and neighboring countries. Basic cowpea price and production data for Ghana can be down loaded in spreadsheet form.

Mali - A memorandum of understanding was signed in July, 1999, with the Rural Economics Institute (IER). Under the leadership of Alpha Omar Kergna, IER researchers will gather cowpea price and quality data in Bamako markets and describe market structure.

Niger - A memorandum of understanding was signed in May, 1999, with the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Niger (INRAN). Under the leadership of Germaine Ibro, INRAN researchers will gather cowpea price and quality data in Niamey markets and describe market structure.

•Nigeria - Cowpea price and quality data is being collected in Kano, Maidougari and Lagos. Market structure interviews are being carried out. Nigeria is the largest producer and consumer of cowpeas in the world. Cowpeas from many neighboring countries are sold to Nigerian consumers. Understanding the Nigerian market is key to understanding the West African trade in cowpea. Research in Nigeria is coordinanted by Dr. S. Kushwaha, Agricultural Economics and Extension, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Nigeria.

• Senegal - Cowpea price and quality data is being collected in 6 markets in Senegal with the help of the Senegalese Food Security Commission. Initial research on market structure shows substantial amounts of cowpea grain going to Mauretania and Gambia. Senegal has best developed cowpea processing industry in the region, in part due to the efforts of the Food Technology Institute. Mbene Faye, Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research, is coordinating data collection in Senegal. Basic cowpea price and production data for Senegal can be down loaded in spreadsheet form.

The following documents related to marketing research are available at this site:

• Bean/Cowpea CRSP West Africa Regional Facilitator Report, Fiscal Year 1996

• Bean/Cowpea CRSP Social Science Report for West Africa, April, 1997-Sept. 1998

• Cowpea production and price data for Cameroon

• Cowpea production and price data for Ghana

• Cowpea production and price data for Senegal