Farmers in Nyankpala, located in the Tolon District of the Northern Region of Ghana, have expressed strong support for a newly introduced genetically modified (GMO) cowpea, praising its nutritional value and resilience in arid conditions.
The farmers reported that the improved bean variety demonstrates robust growth despite the challenging weather typical of the north, establishing it as a reliable crop for the region.
A significant additional benefit they noted was the crop’s reduced need for pesticide applications, which lowers both production costs and labour.
The feedback was gathered during a recent field demonstration organised by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), which is developing the crop.
A CSIR-SARI food scientist, Flora Amarglo, provided assurances regarding the safety and efficacy of the new cowpea. She confirmed that the variety is engineered to be resistant to pests and is completely safe for human consumption.
“The pod borer is a major destructive pest to the cowpea crop and this particular variety has been engineered to resist the pest,” Amarglo stated.
Developed through a partnership between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and international institutions, the PBR cowpea was officially launched in July 2024.
Scientists emphasise that the modification only targets pest resistance and does not alter the nutritional value of the legume.
