Levantamento sobre o feijão nhemba, vigna unguiculata walp, no distrito de Homoíne Província de Inhambane

Abstract

The present work presents the results of the survey on cowpea, in the district of Homoine, province of Inhambane. To obtain the information, the techniques of semi-structured interviews with family farmers and key informants, direct observation, and consultation of secondary data were used. The survey shows that in the district cowpea is mainly cultivated in two types of farms: Family farmers, in upland (sandy), around or away from homes, using local varieties with long cycle, prostrate and, by farmers in the semi-commercial sector, using short cycle improved, upright and semi-upright varieties along the Inhambane river valley and the semi-enterprise sector with the possibility of irrigation and technical project support. Some peasants have "machongos", but little used for the cultivation of cowpea. Family sector farms are dispersed, small and dependent on rain. The cultivation system is an association of cultures (cassava, maize, cucurbits, etc.), as well as perennial trees such as coconut, cashew, mafureiras, and other wild trees. Coconut and cashew trees work as the main cashew crops. Cowpea is produced for the consumption of leaves, pods and grains, and among farmers there is a greater preference for cowpea with larger grain, broad leaves, long pods and less fibrous. The most prevalent types are "N'thula nguelo", "Nhamborwane", Xivambalane" and "Xinhawane", wild cowpea and a type with the ability to grow throughout the year ("domesticated Xinhawanhawane") are also found. the selection or distinction of varieties mainly uses characteristics such as color, seed size and shape, plant pigmentation, pod flower, leaf size and shape, as well as the taste of the edible parts. Using physical measures and preserving the seed, natural products such as mafureira extract, ash, piri-pipri are applied. For each use (leaves, pods and grains) there is a storage system. Unpeeled pods, when intended for consumption, are stored hanging, in the traditional barn "Xilhangala" or "Fungui".For sowing, the storage of hulled grain is adopted and the treatment against warehouse pests (weevil) is normally carried out in the different containers> Cowpea is marketed in the form of grain. The main limiting factors pointed out by the farmers are the irregularity of rainfall, low soil fertility, low seed quality, limited availability of means of production, poor storage system, lack of incentives for marketing and poor assistance from the network of local extension.