Harnessing Cowpea and Bambara Groundnut for a resilient future

Growing up in Kenya, I looked forward to the occasions—once or twice a month—when meat was part of our meal and disliked the numerous days that we ate pulses—edible seeds of plants in the legume family. After I became a nutritionist and learned more about their nourishing value, I stopped seeing them as a boring dish and now regularly serve pulses to my family as a snack or in stews, sauces, or coconut milk.

Today, many Africans still underappreciate pulses as I did. World Pulses Day on February 10 is a chance for everyone to learn of their immense value—not just as nutritious seeds but as catalysts for transforming agrifood systems. Two climate-smart crops, Cowpea and Bambara groundnut, particularly deserve attention for their untapped potential.

Cowpea and Bambara groundnut are more than staple food crops; they could be lifelines for millions across sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea, often referred to as “the poor man’s meat,” is renowned for its rich protein content and its ability to thrive in drought-prone areas. This makes it a critical food source for communities grappling with climate variability. Recent advances showcased at the 7th World Cowpea Research Conference in September 2024 highlight climate-resilient cowpea varieties with higher yields and improved nutritional profiles. These innovations provide smallholder farmers with a dependable crop, growing even in harsh environmental conditions, bolstering food security and economic resilience.

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