Key facts about Cowpea

About Cowpea: 

• Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an annual plant within the pea family (Fabaceae).
• It is a leguminous crop having long trailing vines producing seeds of black, white, or red colour used widely in various food preparations.
• It originated and was domesticated in Southern Africa and was later moved to East and West Africa and Asia.
• It is also known as a black-eyed pea, southern pea, etc.
• Cowpeas are typically climbing or trailing vines that bear compound leaves with three leaflets. 
• The grains contain 25% protein and several vitamins and minerals.
• The plant tolerates drought, performs well in a wide variety of soils, and, being a legume replenishes low-fertility soils when the roots are left to decay.
  • Well-drained loam or slightly heavy soil is best suited.
  • In colder climates somewhat sandy soil is preferred as crops mature earlier in them.
• It is grown mainly by small-scale farmers in developing regions where it is often cultivated with other crops as it tolerates shade.
• It also grows and covers the ground quickly, preventing erosion.
• The world’s largest production and consumption of cowpea is in West Africa, which accounts for more than 87% of world production and use.
  • Nigeria, the largest producer and consumer, accounts for 46% of production worldwide.
• In the Indian context, it is a minor pulse cultivated mainly in arid and semi-arid tracts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and West UP, along with considerable areas in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

Q1: What are Vitamins?

These are a group of substances that are needed for normal cell function, growth, and development. There are 13 essential vitamins.

Source: Life sprouts in space’, says ISRO after cowpea seeds germinate

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