Status and potent ial o f pigeonpea i n Easter n and Southern Africa

Abstract

Pigeonpea is a multipurpose, multi-benefit crop adapted to semi -arid conditions , and an important component of traditional inter cropping systems in eastern and southern Africa . This publication contains presentations, discussions, and recommendations from a workshop to review the cur rent status and future prospect s for pigeonpea in the r e g i o n . Th e workshop , held in Nairobi in Sep 2000, attracted 29 participants from six countries, representing various stakeholder groups including national and international research institutes, universities, NGOs , and p o l i c y makers. A range of imp r o v e d technologies i s available. Effort s to imp r o v e adopt ion must center on commercialization of pigeonpea, i.e. p r o v i d i n g smallholder farmer swith reliable market out lets, market information , and adequate incentives to invest i n productivity -enhancing technologies. Participant s suggested the following : ( i ) Consolidate research information ( cur rent l y scattered i n journal s and reports) into a comprehensive technology inventor y for the region , identify gaps in knowledge . ( i i ) Identify specific markets , package available technologies (variety, management ) for each of these markets, establish links with marketing agencies where possible. ( i i i ) Initiate studies to collect additional information , particularly on market opportunities, transaction costs, and comparative advantages.