AN OVERVIEW OF THE AGRONOMIC PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS TO BLACK-EYED BEAN (BEB) COWPEA TYPE (VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP) FOR LEAF AND GRAIN UTILIZATION IN ZIMBABWE

Black-eyed bean has gained popularity in the Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe. It is a crop of considerable importance due to its economic value and export potential. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was carried out in 2007 -2008 rainy season to find out the production constraints to BEB production in the area. The acceptance of this variety was very impressive due to its favourable advantages over the traditional varieties grown in the area. However, yields were very low as compared to the ones the farmers were informed by the non-governmental organization when the crop was introduced to them. Informal discussions were held with farmers in the villages on the issues regarding major BEB constraints. The major constraints were identified and ranked in their order of importance using a pair-wise ranking tool as: soil fertility, pests and diseases, plant populations and spacing, seed shortage and storage, planting methods and planting dates, changing rainfall patterns, intercropping and weeds. Overally, poor management practices of BEB production causes yield reduction. This information is envisaged to be useful in designing and determining the possible way forward for the development of well-tailored objectives to improve the crop for maximum growth in terms of production and exports markets to obtain foreign currency earning.