PARTICIPATORY IMPROVEMENT AND GENDER RELATIONS: A PROPOSAL FOR THE DIFFUSION AND ADOPTION OF COWPEA BEAN CULTIVARS AS A STRATEGY FOR FOOD SECURITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

The objective was to socialize and evaluate the agronomic performance of cowpea bean cultivars through participatory methodologies, in function of the diversification of cultivars to meet market needs, improve the quality of life, and establish actions of participatory improvement with family farmers. The participatory actions were conducted in a "demonstration unit", called "technological showcase of the green beans", in which five cultivars of cowpea were planted. The introduction of these cultivars aimed, above all, to diversify cowpea crops in the community, in order to increase genetic diversity, aiming at the participatory improvement. The cultivars BRS Xiquexique and BRS Aracê, which aroused interest by the farmers, present high nutritional value and bioactive substances, with antioxidant and preventive properties, enabling improvement in food quality and source of income through commercialization.