Cowpea (Vigna unguicilata Walp) is a multi-purpose crop grown in the sub-Saharan regions of Africa for its grains and leaves which contribute to food security. Despite the high yield potential of cowpea and its ability to withstand poor conditions, yield at farmers’ level is still low. Past works led to release of several improved varieties. However some of them fell or recorded low rate of adoption because farmers’ needs were not involved in the process of varietal development. The present study untaken in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon aim to: determine cowpea production constraints according to farmers’ perception, determine farmers’ strategies of insect pests control and determine farmers’ preferred cowpea traits. A survey was conducted in four villages: Sanguéré, Souccoundou, Gazawa and Koza. Questionnaires were administered to 150 farmers’ followed by a focus group discussion with groups of 10 to 15 participants. Data collected were analyzed on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Frequency distributions were estimated and pair-wise ranking method was performed. Farmers ranked insect pests as the most important cowpea production constraint followed by the lack of improved varieties, drought and Striga. Cowpea flower bud thrips was reported as the most damaging, followed by the flower beetles, maruca, aphids and pod-sucking bugs. Farmers’ most preferred traits were high grain yield, tolerance/resistance to insect, large seed size, white seed coat and fast cooking suggesting that research programs should consider these traits when developing improved cowpea varieties for the benefit of farmers.