Strategic Initiative for Enhancing Collaboration Between
Research, Extension and Teaching


PROJECT TITLE

PIGEONPEA (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) AS A NICHE CROP FOR SMALL FARMERS: ADAPTABILITY, MARKETING AND OUTREACH


JANUARY 1, 2006--DECEMBER 31, 2007

Submitted in Collaboration with the Cooperative Extension Program and School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences at Tennessee State University (TSU)

PROJECT DIRECTORS

Research
Enefiok Ekanem
Safdar Muhammad
Fisseha Tegegne
Nathaniel Appleton

Extension
Fitzroy Bullock
Richard Winston
Finis Stribling

Teaching
Desh Duseja
Surendra P. Singh


KEY CONTACT: Fisseha Tegegne, Research Associate Professor,

Tel. (615) 963-5830,
Fax: (615) 963-1557 E-mail: ftegegne@tnstate.edu

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Most U.S. farms are small and they control a significant share of farm assets (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2002). However, the need to maintain an adequate level of net income is the most citied problem faced by small farmers in Tennessee and elsewhere. Considerable effort has been made toward identifying solutions to these problems. Much of the effort has been made toward identifying enterprises that are profitable on a small-scale farm--that is enterprises which require little land and capital, provide high returns and enhance producers’ competitive ability. Several “New” crops or “exotic” crops, in general, are being grown and evaluated to determine their economic return, marketing potential and adaptability. This proposal is planned and developed through collaborative effort between IAgER researchers, School of Agriculture faculty and small farm specialists working with the Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) at Tennessee State University (TSU).

Pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan L. Millsp) is a warm season grain legume that may have potential as an alternative crop for small farmers in the South and the Southern Great Plains. Being relatively new to these areas, little economic and marketing information is available on the crop. The overall goal of this study is to evaluate the agronomic and economic feasibility of growing pigeonpea as a niche crop for human consumption on small farms in Tennessee. Involvement of students, extension specialists, and teaching faculty will be emphasized in all stages of the project and future collaborations and cooperation among all units will be encouraged. Successful introduction of new alternative crops into a region depends on several factors, but it can be assisted by applied research work under small farm conditions and involvement of farmers through regular outreach and information dissemination by extension personnel. This two-year project will undertake field trials using four varieties with replications on the agricultural research farm located on the main campus of Tennessee State University (TSU) to evaluate selected agronomic input factors on the pigeonpea crop. Cost accounting method will be used to develop enterprise budgets. Cost data (in monetary terms) on the operation and production of the crop will be collected and analyzed to determine the unit cost of pigeonpea production. Estimated returns and expenses per acre will be calculated. Markets and marketing potential will be evaluated for pigeonpea using existing information. Direct marketing of pigeonpea and prospects for sales through the Web, e-Mail and specialty stores (ethnic grocery stores, healthy food stores) will be examined to determine demand and price strategies. Field demonstrations including field days will be arranged for farmers at different times during the life of the crop. Farmers will be given information about specific operations during the demonstration. Fact sheet will be prepared and distributed through Cooperative Extension offices in various counties. Other outcomes would include: enhanced collaboration among faculty members from different units to conduct multidisciplinary research and outreach, experiential learning opportunities for students, and possibility of increasing income of small farmers by introducing, generating and disseminating information on pigeonpea as an alternative crop.