Assessment of the Adoption and Impact of Improved Pigeonpea Varieties in Tanzania

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an important grain legume in the semi-arid regions of Tanzania. The crop offers multiple benefits – protein rich seed (approximately 21% protein), fuel, fodder, fencing material, improved soil fertility and erosion control. It ranks third among the pulses (after beans and cowpea) in total national production (Mligo 1994; Lyimo and Myaka 2001). According to FAO statistics, pigeonpea accounted for about 11% of the total annual production of pulses in the country between 1992 and 2000 (Table 1). This data also indicates that though pigeonpea is third to beans and cowpea in production, its production share in total national production of pulses is very close to cowpea.