Cowpea processing in Senegal: analysis of stakeholders, opportunities and obstacles to food production

This volume follows on from the Rencontres Francophone Légumineuses (RFL) held in March 2024, organized by CIRAD, INRAE, Terres Inovia and Terres Univia, and co-organized by the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA). This unique event brings together all those involved in development, the supply chains and research into grain and forage legumes. It's an opportunity to exchange views, share knowledge and accelerate innovation around legumes. The RFLs focus on seed, forage and woody legumes, and aim to cover the diversity of production systems, as well as the diversity of uses: food, feed and non-food. Pulses are a major lever for meeting the global challenges of climate change and food and nutritional security. All over the world, they play a strategic role, providing nutritional benefits and ensuring protein and food sovereignty. The many species of pulses also represent a formidable breeding ground for food innovation.

International audience

anglais. Cowpea processing in Senegal: analysis of stakeholders, opportunities and obstacles to food production Cultivation of cowpea, a pulse adapted to the Sahelian zone, plays a key role in the development of resilient agriculture but also, after processing the seeds, in the production of nutritionally valuable foods, as they are rich in proteins and fibres in particular. In west Africa, these foods are part of the local culinary heritage. Our study takes stock of the actors, opportunities and bottlenecks at the cowpea processing step in Senegal. The results are based on surveys of processing units and street female vendors, who constitute the two typical profiles of cowpea seed processors in this country. The activity generates income and employment for women and young people, but faces a number of challenges. For example, the need for training, storage and adapted equipment has been identified. Product promotion seems necessary to accelerate market development.