The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) marked World Pulses Day 2025 by highlighting its ongoing work to develop climate-resilient cowpea and soybean varieties, crucial crops for combating African food insecurity. In an exclusive interview with RadioIITA, researchers discussed the institute’s strategies for breeding pulses capable of withstanding increasingly challenging environmental conditions.
Bosede Popoola, International Trials Manager for the IITA Cowpea Breeding Program, emphasized the institute’s focus on breeding climate-smart cowpeas. “Our breeding strategies prioritize drought and heat tolerance, as well as flood and waterlogging tolerance, ensuring that smallholder farmers can sustain yields even in erratic climate conditions,” Popoola explained. She added that advanced genetic improvement techniques have produced cowpea lines that survive prolonged dry spells and thrive with minimal inputs.
Beyond food security, Popoola noted cowpea’s contribution to sustainable farming through improved soil health and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers. IITA’s cowpea program also prioritizes collaboration with local communities and farmers to ensure new varieties meet regional needs. “We work closely with farmers to co-create solutions, making sure these improved varieties meet their needs,” Popoola said.
IITA’s soybean program, established in 1974, has developed over 100 varieties for Africa, with over 20 currently in production in Nigeria. “Soybean’s natural climate resilience, thanks to its short growing season and deep taproot, is further enhanced through our breeding program,” says Dr. Abush Abebe, Head of the IITA Soybean Program.
IITA focuses on early-maturing varieties, improved root architecture for drought tolerance, and varieties that can withstand extreme weather, including prolonged droughts and flooding. Beyond resilience, IITA is increasing protein and oil content for improved nutrition and promoting soybean’s economic potential for smallholder farmers. New varieties are rigorously tested across Africa, with the best scaled for production.
As global challenges intensify, IITA remains at the forefront of agricultural research and innovation, ensuring that pulses like cowpea and soybean continue to thrive in the fight against climate change and food insecurity.
Contributed by Dada Bamise
