Insect-resistant cowpea in Nigeria: An ex ante economic assessment of a crop improvement initiative

• DOI: 10.2499/p15738coll2.133541
• Publication Date: 2020-01-03T22:22:47Z
• Authors: Dayo Phillip; Alejandro Nin-Pratt; Patricia Zambrano; Ulrike Wood-Sichra; Edward Kato; John Komen; Hillary Hanson; José Benjamin Fal...; Judy A. Chambers
• Keywords: Ex-ante

Since oil prices’ decline in 2014, agriculture has received renewed interest Nigeria as a key sector for achieving sustainable growth and generating foreign exchange. One of the identified obstacles to these goals is need improve agricultural productivity. Cowpea one priority crops productivity improvement. Currently cowpea yields are below 900 kg/ha, but it been shown that with right technology, could potentially double. main biotic constraints infestation insect pod borer (Maruca Vitrata). No conventional variety developed resist this pest, use biotechnology sustained collaboration national international partners over many years, there now genetically modified pod-borer-resistant (or more generally insect-resistant) cowpea. This paper estimates potential economic benefits adopting new technology cost will incur if adoption delayed. The analysis conducted using an surplus partial equilibrium model run newly DREAMpy software, data drawn from General Household Survey 2015–2016, estimations data, other local sources. show insect-resistant planted 2020, net present-value producers consumers would be around US$350 million, 70 percent which accrued by producers. distribution region Sudan-Sahel accrue most benefits, given relative concentration estimated higher rates yield changes. Almost half producers’ total benefit go large producers, who represent only 20 all while small representing receive 24 benefit. Additionally, shows five-year regulatory delay decrease 35 percent. While already place competent biosafety system likely ensure delays not materialize, highlight importance having evidence-based, efficient, predictable, transparent expected realized.