[01] Iyorkaa Nater, Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, College of Agronomy, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria; Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria. [02] Kamara Alpha Yaya, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station, Kano, Nigeria. [03] Omoigui Lucky Osabuohein, Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, College of Agronomy, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria; Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station, Kano, Nigeria. [04] Odo Peter, Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, College of Agronomy, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria. [05] Teryima Iorlamen, Department of Crop Production, College of Agronomy, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria; Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria. [06] Ekeruo Godspower Chibuike, Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, College of Agronomy, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria; Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria.

The survey was carried out to compare two main sources of cowpea seed, Community Based Seed Producers (CBSP) and Licensed Seed Producers (LSP) for their source of seeds, seed production and storage systems across the three states of Benue, Kano, and Jigawa. Seed producers were interviewed during seed collection using multiple-choice questions that were divided into three main categories to enable the researcher to get information on the following parameters; background of the seed or planting material of the seed producers, seed production and Seed storage background. Questionnaires were administered to Ninety (90) respondents each from both community based seed producers (CBSP) and licensed seed producers (LSP) across the three states to give a total of 180 respondents with the help of extension agents who were trained by the researcher in order to ensure consistency in response of the questions from the respondents. Copies of the questionnaires administered to the respondents were collected immediately from respondents after completion. Data collected from seed producers interview was presented in percentages using bar charts, histogram, line graphs, pyramids and radar webs using Minitab, version 2017 statistical software. The result showed that most of the community-based seed producers adapt to the technology introduced to them by the Tropical Legume III project. Community based seed producers are comparable with the licensed seed producers in most of the seed production practices and post-harvest handling. Community based seed producers are comparable with the licensed seed producers in most of the seed production practices and post-harvest handling. Most of the community based seed producers also adapt to the technology introduced to them by the TLIII project. We therefore, concluded that community based seed producers can be used as an alternative source for seed multiplication and distribution within their environs under good training and minimum inspection as there are comparable to the licensed seed producers in most seed production and post-harvest handling.

Cowpea, Community Based Seed Producers, Licensed Seed Producers, Tropical Legume III, Bar Charts, Histogram, Line Graphs, Pyramids, Radar Webs

[01] Hall AE, Cisse N, Thiaw S, Elawad HOA, Ehlers JD, Ismail AM, Fery RL, Roberts PA, Kitch LW, Murdock LL, Boukar O, Phillips RD, McWatters KH (2003) Development of cowpea cultivars and germplasm by the bean/cowpea CRSP. Field Crops Res 82: 103–134. [02] Dugje, I. Y., Omoigui, L. O., Ekeleme, F., Kamara, A. Y., and Ajeigbe, H. (2009). Farmers’ guide to cowpea production in West Africa. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, 20: 12-14. [03] Louwaars, N. P., and de Boef, W. S. (2012). Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa: A conceptual Framework for Creating Coherence between Practices, Programs, and Policies. Journal of Crop Improvement, 26 (1), 39-59. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2011.611277 [04] Matthews S, Noli E, Demir I, Khajeh-Hosseini M. and Wagner, M. H. (2012). Evaluation of seed quality: from physiology to international standardization. Seed Science Research, 22: 69-73. [05] Abdoulaye T, Sanogo D, Langyintuo A, Bamire SA, Olanrewaju A, (2009). Assessing the constraints affecting production and deployment of maize seed in DTMA countries of West Africa. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. [06] Van-Gastel TJG, Gregg BR, Asiedu EA, (2002). Seed Quality Control in Developing Countries. Journal of New Seeds 4, 117-30. [07] . Oyekale, K. O.; Denton, O. A. and Adebisi, M. A. (2014). Seed Management Systems in Nigeria: The Gap and the Bridge. Paper presented at the Agric Business Trade Show and Conference (‘Nigeria at 100’ Programme), International Conference Centre Abuja, 26 – 28 August, 2014. [08] Amaza, P., Udoh, E., Abdoulaye, T. and Kamara, A. (2010). Analysis of technical efficiency among community-based seed producers in the savannahs of Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 8: 1073-1079. [09] Biemond, P. C., Stomph T. J., Kamara A., Abdoulage T., Hearne S. and Struik P. C. (2012). Are investments in informal seed systems for cowpeas a worthwhile endeavour? International Journal of Plant Production, 6 (3): 367-386. [10] Dennis, S. C., Refeal, M. B., Marco, E. S (2013). Weed Management and its relation to yield and Seed Physiological Potential in common bean cultineans. e-ISSN 1983-4062-www.agro. ufg. Bv/ [11] Phil, R. (2010). Piny Rice Knowledge Bank Handout Series www.philrice.gov.ph [12] Colley and Micaela (2009). "Selection and Roguing in Organic Seed Production". Organic Seed Alliance. Archived from the original on 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2009-06-25. [13] Dramani, K. 2010 Comparative Study of Cowpea Storage in different Storage Structure. [14] Sanon, A., Dabiré-Binso, L. C. and Ba, N. M. (2011). Triple bagging of cowpeas within high density polyethylene bags to control the cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculates F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Journal of Stored Products Research, 47: 210-21. [15] Hillary Mireku Bortey, Alimatu Osuman, Sadia & James Yaw Asibuo (2016). Influence of Seed Storage Techniques on Germinability and Storability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) Journal of Agricultural Science; Vol. 8, No. 10; 2016 ISSN 1916-9752 E-ISSN 1916-9760. [16] Barua, H., Rahman, M. M., & Masud, M. M. (2009). Effect of storage containers environment at different storage period on the quality of chilli seed. Int. J. Sustain. Crop Prod., 4 (4), 28-32. [17] Bortey, H. M., Olympio, N. S., & Banful, B. (2011). Quality of farmer-saved tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mills.) seeds and its effect on fruit yield in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Horticulture, 9, 25-33. [18] Simic B., Popoviæ, R., Sudaric, A., Rozman, V., Kalinovic, I., & Cosic, J. (2007). Influence of Storage Condition on Seed Oil Content of Maize, Soybean and Sunflower. Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, 72 (3), 211-213. [19] Heatherly, L. G., & Elmore, R. W. (2004). Managing inputs for peak production. In H. R. Boerma, & J. E. Specht (Eds.), Soybeans: Improvement, production and uses (3rd ed., pp. 451-536). Wisconsin, USA. [20] McCormack, J. H. (2004). Seed Processing and Storage. Principles and practices of seed harvesting, processing and storage: An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S. [21] Al-Yahya, S. A. (2001). Effect of Storage Conditions on Germination in Wheat. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 186, 273-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-037x.2001.00402.x. [22] Guberac, V., Maric, S., Lalic, A., Drezner, G., & Zdunic, Z. (2003). Hermetically Sealed Storage of Cereal Seeds and its Influence on Vigour and Germination. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 189, 54-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-037X.2003.00596.x.