The adoption of the genetically modified cowpea variety, Songotra-T, is gaining momentum across Ghana as farmers increasingly turn to the crop for its high yields, lower production costs and resilience to changing weather conditions.
Just two years after its commercial release, demand for the variety has soared, with more than 5,000 kilograms of seed sold for multiplication in 2025 alone after stocks produced by the initial seed companies were completely exhausted.
Farmers in the Northern Region say the variety is helping them overcome some of the challenges associated with traditional cowpea cultivation, particularly high pesticide costs and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
At Nyankpala in the Tolon District, farmer Abdallah Mohammed said Songotra-T has significantly improved his productivity and profitability. According to him, the variety requires fewer pesticide applications because of its resistance to major pests and diseases, resulting in lower production costs and better returns.
He noted that the crop’s short maturity period allows farmers to harvest within 60 to 65 days, making it particularly suitable for areas experiencing shorter and less predictable rainy seasons due to climate change.
Another farmer, Suweiba Abdallah, said she decided to cultivate Songotra-T after witnessing the success of other farmers in her community. After planting two acres, she reported strong yields and expressed confidence in the variety’s potential to improve household incomes.
Researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute say the rapid uptake of Songotra-T reflects growing farmer confidence in the variety.
Dr. Jerry Nboyine explained that the variety gained widespread attention following the 2024 dry spell, when many conventional cowpea varieties suffered poor yields while Songotra-T continued to perform well because of its early maturity.
He revealed that all seed produced by the initial eight seed companies that received foundation seed after the variety’s release in July 2024 had been sold out by the start of the 2025 farming season. Additional seed producers and farmers from other regions, including Volta and Eastern, have since acquired foundation seeds for multiplication.
Developed by CSIR-SARI in collaboration with international research partners and coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, Songotra-T underwent nearly a decade of research, field trials and regulatory assessments before its release.
Agricultural experts believe the variety could play a significant role in strengthening food security and improving farmer incomes as Ghana seeks climate-smart solutions to address the challenges facing the agriculture sector.
