The genesis of Songotra-T Cowpea Seeds; In the Nanton District of Ghana’s Northern Region, cowpea farmer Aminu Alhassan has spent years struggling to feed his family. Without access to modern tools or technologies, he relied on sheer determination. But when the Maruca vitrata pest began destroying crops across his community, Aminu took action—organizing pesticide access for fellow farmers and searching for lasting solutions.
That search led him to a breakthrough: a genetically modified cowpea variety designed to resist Maruca infestations. He discovered it through a Ministry of Food and Agriculture extension officer who introduced him to the CSIR–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI). From there, Aminu joined a group of farmers piloting the new Songotra-T Cowpea—an innovation he now considers transformative.
During a severe drought last year, Aminu planted just one acre of the new seed. While most farmers saw total crop failure, he harvested between 9 and 10 kilograms. He used only two pesticide applications instead of the usual twelve and saw no signs of Maruca. With reduced production costs and a reliable yield, Aminu now views farming not as survival—but as a business.
The Songotra-T Cowpea, also known as the PBR Cowpea, is Ghana’s first genetically modified crop. Approved in July 2023, it contains built-in resistance that kills Maruca larvae when they feed on flowers or pods. According to Dr. Jerry Nboyine, principal investigator for the BT Cowpea Project at CSIR-SARI, Maruca is one of the most destructive pests affecting Ghana’s cowpea production, capable of wiping out as much as 80% of yields.
Field trials during the 2023 drought confirmed the seed’s resilience. In regions where conventional cowpea varieties failed, Songotra-T matured quickly and produced reliable yields. Seed companies that planted late—after August—still managed to harvest. Dr Nboyine confirmed that over 7,000 kilograms of breeder seed have already been produced, and CSIR-SARI is working with licensed seed companies to ensure distribution across the country at standard Ministry of Food and Agriculture prices.
Seed suppliers say the demand is rising quickly. Abdulai Abdulai Rafael, CEO of Prosperity Farms, described Songotra-T as a game-changer, noting that farmers now want yield without excessive spraying. Alhassan Alhassan Baba of Heritage Seeds Company Ltd added that they are actively multiplying certified seeds to meet growing demand, especially in regions prone to erratic rainfall.
Distribution has reached parts of the Northern, Upper East, and Bono East regions, but access remains a significant concern. Many farmers are eager to adopt the variety but are unable to obtain the seeds on time. Despite the seed’s proven success, delays in availability continue to be a critical bottleneck.
Aminu and others say the science has delivered—now, they need logistics and support. Farmers are calling on the government and MoFA to step in, ensuring that this breakthrough doesn’t stall due to poor distribution.
The stakes go beyond agriculture. With rising pest pressure and the challenges of climate change, Songotra-T represents more than just improved yields—it’s a matter of resilience and national food security.
As Aminu put it, the cowpea isn’t just a crop anymore—it’s salvation. The tools for change exist, but timely access is the missing link. The future of thousands of farmers may depend on it.
