Page 126 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

2. Record your observations in your notebook, including the damage they have
caused.
3. Suggest control measures based on what you have learnt and apply safe and
simple methods to manage the problem(s).
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4. Record all activities, outcomes, and lessons learnt in your portfolio.

Exercise 7.6
1. During the harvesting of cowpeas, you find pods with holes and rotten seeds.
What pest is likely to be responsible, and suggest how you can prevent the
problem in the next cropping season?

2. In your school garden, several cowpea plants were observed to have white
powder on the leaves. The plants look weak and are not growing well. What
disease might this be, and what actions can be taken to reduce its spread?

3. You notice small green insects on your young cowpea leaves. Thereafter, the
leaves begin to curl. What might be causing this, and what steps can you take
to manage it?
4. A farmer saves cowpea seeds and plants them next season. After emergency,
the new crop show signs of leaf curling and patchy colours. What may have
gone wrong, and what should the farmer do differently next time?

Harvesting, postharvest management and marketing of cowpeas
Harvesting, postharvest handling, and marketing are important activities in
cowpea production. These activities are essential for improving product quality,
market price and reducing losses. The way these activities are carried out depends
on whether the cowpea is for fresh vegetables or dry grains.

Harvesting of common peas
Cowpeas are harvested at different times depending on the variety and purpose
of production. Vegetable cowpeas are harvested earlier for green leaves and
fresh pods. Leaves are picked 3 - 4 weeks after planting, and green pods are
harvested 6 - 8 weeks after planting. The pods should be long, soft, and well-
filled. Harvesting is done gently to avoid damaging of the plant. Picking of pods
is repeated after every few days. Under good management, vegetable cowpeas

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AGRICULTURE F3.indd 117