Participatory Rural Appraisal of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Production in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) study of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.)Verdc.) production was conducted in six villages sampled from three Local Government Areas (LGA). The LGAs were Ogbadibo, Kwande (Benue State) and Olamaboro (Kogi State), all located in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. The study involved 6 group discussions and 240 individual key informants who were interviewed using a check list with a view to provide information on existing bambara groundnut-based cropping systems. Results indicated that most bambara groundnut farmers were literate (99.58%). 52.91% of the farmers were males and 47.08% were females. Bambara groundnut production was mainly in small holdings (≤1ha). About 30 % of bambara groundnut farmers plant the crop as sole while 65.83% intercropped it with other crops. Intercropping with cassava dominated the intercrop systems. Planting was mainly on ridges (83.33%). About 77% of the farmers do not apply fertilizer to bambara groundnut with the belief that it could grow well on poor soils. Weeding was done manually by 87.08% of the farmers, while 21.25% of them used herbicides for weed control mainly in Kwande LGA. Yields of bambara groundnut were generally low (100-600 kg/ha). Labour and lack of finance ranked the highest consideration by farmers as constraints to the production of bambara groundnut in Southern Guinea Savanna. Scientific investigation into the suitability of some of the popular landraces of bambara groundnut in the various cropping systems in Southern Guinea Savanna might be necessary to ensure food security in the region.