Exploring farmer perspectives on Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc]: production constraints, preferred varietal traits and implications for varietal development in northern Namibia

In Namibia, Bambara groundnut is one of the few legume crops grown for human consumption and adapted to the local growing drier conditions. However, the crop is produced at a subsistence level and sold as a boiled snack from the unshelled fresh pods. Its yield levels are low, and a dedicated crop improvement program is lacking. This study was carried out to determine the status of Bambara groundnut production and its constraints in Namibia. In addition, what are the farmer’s preferred varietal characteristics, choice of ideotypes, and motivators that can lead to more production of the crop. Data was collected through participatory approaches in four of the Bambara groundnut producing regions of Namibia, in the northern part of the country. The study involved 112 semi-structured interviews, 74 focus group respondents, and transect walks. Based on frequency tabulations, land preparation depended on tillage implements (43% of tractors and animal-drawn power each, and 11% hand hoes). The ridge and furrow was the widely adopted planting method (72%) and served as a coping mechanism to limited water resources. Farmers utilized indigenous knowledge on crop management and seed preservation. Most farmers (71%) grow mixed seeds, whilst 29% grow a pure stand. Varietal preferences were highly diverse on seed color (cream 40%, red 20%, cream mottled 19%, black 13%, other colors 3%). Informal channels dominated the seed distribution (51% open market, 41% as exchanges, 8% public-private). The chi-square test was used to examine relationships between categorical variables and test whether the variables were independent or associated. Findings revealed that it was a gender-neutral crop in production, although there were role-specificities for men and women. To compare motivators to increase Bambara groundnut production across the agroecologies, a Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted. The Friedman analysis of variance was computed to test for differences in production constraints, and the Wilcoxon Post hoc test was used for pairwise comparison of the constraints variables across the surveyed regions. Production constraints were many, however, unreliable rainfall and the absence of improved varieties were the most prevalent. The choice of ideotype that farmers preferred were early maturity, drought tolerance, high yield, prolificacy, and a bunched type. This study recommends breeding for higher yield, drought resistant and early maturing varieties in combination with the other preferred traits. In essence, pre-breeding strategies should incorporate earliness to maturity as a drought escape mechanism for the normal to below rainfall regions.