Danforth Center and international partners unveil landmark insect resistant cowpea for Nigerian farmers
August 2, 2021
The first public sector biotech food crop released in Africa
ST. LOUIS, MO, July 14, 2021– Nigeria has achieved a major milestone in the history of agricultural research and development with the commercial launch of Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea. Officially called SAMPEA 20-T in Nigeria, PBR Cowpea is resistant to the pest, Maruca vitrata, the insect that is responsible for up to 80 percent of annual cowpea yield losses. About eight million Nigerian farmers and their families will benefit directly from cultivating the newly launched pod borer resistant cowpea variety.