Providing safe and secure food for an increasing number of people globally is challenging.
Coping with such a human population by merely applying the conventional agricultural
production system has not proved to be agro-ecologically friendly; nor is it sustainable.
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) is a multi-purpose legume. It consists of high-quality
protein for human consumption, and it is rich in protein for livestock fodder. It enriches the
soil in that it recycles nutrients through the fixation of nitrogen in association with nodulating …

… Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West
University, Mmabatho, South Africa … Figure 1 Microbial diseases of cowpea: (A) cowpea
seed beetle, (B) Yellow mosaic virus infected cowpea, (C) cowpea halo blight, (D) bacterial
blight, (E) anthracnose, (F) cowpea cercospora leaf spot, (G) cowpea severe mosaic virus, (H)
powdery mildew. … Keywords: cowpea productivity enhancement, indigenous legume,
Vigna unguiculata, nutritious human food, the largest producer status, smart …