Cowpea production in Niger is constrained by biotic and abiotic factors that lead to lower yields and incomes for smallholder farmers. For decades now, efforts have been made to improve cowpea production, including the development and release of improved varieties that are high yielding and resistant or tolerant to pests and diseases. The present study assessed cowpea production constraints on 584 smallholders’ farms in Maradi and Zinder regions of Niger. Estimated parameters consisted of farm size, varieties used and pests and disease prevalence. We found that the average farm size for both regions was 2.10 ha. Local varieties (63%) and IT90K 372-1-2 (30.5%), an improved variety released 25 years ago, were the most-cultivated cowpea varieties. Two recently introduced varieties were planted on less than 4% of fields. Cowpea was grown in association with millet and sorghum on 96.6% of fields. Average cowpea yield for both regions was 253.4 kg ha⁻¹. Five major insect pests and the plant parasite Striga, identified as major production constraints, were negatively correlated with cowpea yields. Diseases were significantly and negatively associated with cowpea yields. To increase cowpea productivity, there is a need to develop and/or promote adapted high-yielding varieties, and to disseminate good agricultural practices to minimize the incidence of pests and diseases.

尼日尔的豆产量受到生物和非生物因素的制约，导致小农的单产和收入降低。几十年来，人们一直在努力改善cow豆的产量，包括开发和释放高产，抗病或耐病虫害的改良品种。本研究评估了尼日尔Maradi和Zinder地区584个小农户的cow豆生产限制。估计参数包括农场规模，使用的品种以及病虫害和疾病流行率。我们发现两个地区的平均农场面积为2.10公顷。本地品种（63％）和IT90K 372-1-2（30.5％）是25年前发布的改良品种，是were豆栽培最多的品种。在不到4％的田地上种植了两个最近引进的品种。pea豆与小米和高粱伴生，占96.6％的田地。两个地区的cow豆平均单产为253.4千克公顷^-1。被确定为主要生产限制的五种主要害虫和植物寄生虫Striga与cow豆产量负相关。疾病与cow豆产量显着负相关。为了提高cow豆的生产力，需要开发和/或推广适合的高产品种，并传播良好的农业规范，以尽量减少病虫害的发生。