Abdoulahi Mamane1, Arifa Warouma2, Saidou Addam Kyari3, and Jens Bernt Aune4
1 Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi, Faculté d’Agronomie et des Sciences de l’Environnement, BP 465 Maradi, Niger
2 Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi, Faculté d’Agronomie et des Sciences de l’Environnement, BP 465 Maradi, Niger
3 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du (INRAN), Laboratoire Sol, BP 429 Niamey, Nig, Niger
4 Department of International Environnement and Development Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
Original language: English
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Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effect of using the adapted Gangaria seeder combined with localized organomineral fertilization on labor productivity, yield and profitability of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivation in Niger. A randomized block trial with four treatments crossing sowing method (manual or mechanized) and fertilization (with or without microdose) was conducted over two (2) agricultural seasons (2023 and 2024) in the Mardi and Zinder region. The results show that mechanized sowing halved the working time per hectare and contributed to a significant improvement in grain yields up to 959 kgha -1 and dried haulm (1052 kgha -1) at the level of the mechanized treatment combined with localized fertilizer inputs (T3). Mechanization alone resulted in an increase in grain yield of 180 kg/ha, a 26.8% improvement compared to manual sowing. The average yield of the two treatments obtained with the application of microdoses of compost was 274 kg/ha higher than the yield in the two treatments without microdoses, which corresponds to an increase of 43.0%. Compared to manual sowing, the economic analysis shows that mechanized sowing without fertilizer application (T2) generates the highest net margin, due to the high cost of purchased compost. Local production of compost thus appears as an alternative to optimize the benefits of the technology. The use of the adapted Gangaria seeder constitutes a promising strategy to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and improve the agricultural incomes of cowpea producers in Niger.
Author Keywords: Gangaria seeder, Cowpea, Animal traction, Localized fertilization, Economic profitability.
