A study aimed at understanding the different methods of storage and conservation of cereal seeds was carried out in the locality of Gazawa, region of Far-North/Cameroon. The objective was to determine the local conservation knowledge of farmers in order to preserve the diversity of production plant material and promote sustainable integrated management of plant genetic resources. Based on a methodological survey, question and answers based on target sample of fifty individual persons. It follows that in total 6 varieties of maize (CMS-9015, CMS-8806, CMS-8501, CMS-8704, TZEE-W and EVDT) and 6 varieties of sorghum (CS-54, CS -61, CS-95, Damougari, S-35 and Zouaye) are popularized, maintained. The EVDT varieties of corn and CS-95, CS-61, Damougari of sorghum are kept ex-situ in cold rooms or conservation structures. Optimal dehydration method, warehouse maintenance applied and in conservation structures help to maintain seeds quality and varietal diversity. The only variety of rice recorded was Nerica 3 and 25 collections of pennicilary millet from the Far-North and North of Cameroon, ICRISAT and INERA are being popularized. The local varieties Sectaire (22.85 %), Dadoudou (11.42 %), Farigawa, Salié, Viri by 8.57 %, local white maize (5.71 %) and Panar (2.85 %) are the most appreciated and cultivated by farmers for their organoleptic properties, their nutritional values and their productivity. The local seeds of the farmers are kept with the corn cobs enclosed in the husks, the panicles covered with the powder of the glumes hanging in sheds.
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.
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