Determinants of Farmers' Willingness to Pay for Improved Varieties of Pigeon Pea in Oyo State, Nigeria

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a crucial member of the pulse family, recognized for its diversity in colors, sizes, and shapes. This leguminous crop is celebrated globally for its high nutritional value, comparable to other significant legumes such as cowpea, groundnut, and soybean. In 2022, global pigeon pea production reached approximately 5.33 million tonnes, cultivated over 6.03 million hectares (FAO, 2022). The crop is cultivated in over 82 countries, with India being the dominant producer, accounting for about 79.10% (4.22 million tonnes) of total production, followed closely by Myanmar (Ahamad and Kiresur, 2016). Pigeon pea plays a crucial role in India'sfood security and economy, contributing substantially to both food processing and the pharmaceutical industry.

In Africa, pigeon pea production was approximately 0.72 million tonnes in 2022, serving as a vital export crop in nations like Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda (FAO, 2022). These countries have invested in research to enhance the productivity and acceptability of pigeon pea, recognizing its potential to foster economic growth through exports. Despite the crop'simportance, pigeon pea production in Nigeria remains limited, with an estimated cultivation area of only 190,000 hectares—less than 4% of global production (Egbe and Vange, 2008). The scarcity of research and data on pigeon pea in Nigeria underscores its underutilization, with most efforts historically concentrated on major food crops (Popoola, 2020; Kuraz, 2022; Munialo, 2024). Pigeon pea is a valuable source of affordable protein, providing a necessary dietary supplement for rural communities predominantly reliant on starch-based diets (Tanimonure et al., 2023). In light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at eradicating poverty and hunger, there is a growing emphasis on underutilized crops such as pigeon pea as avenues for economic empowerment and nutritional security. As an alternative to increasingly unaffordable animal protein sources, leguminous crops like pigeon pea present an essential solution for rural households (Popoola et al., 2022). Despite its economic and nutritional benefits, pigeon pea productivity in Nigeria has stagnated, primarily due to the lack of high-yielding improved varieties and the unfavorable cooking characteristics of local varieties (Fatokimi and Tanimonure, 2021; Esan & Ojemola, 2018). Recent studies indicate that the area allocated to pigeon pea cultivation in Nigeria is insufficient, with farmers likely to maintain their current farm sizes without significant interventions, such as the introduction of improved varieties and increased awareness of the crop'snutritional advantages (Fatokimi & Tanimonure, 2021; Tanimonure et al., 2023). To enhance productivity, there is a pressing need for improved pigeon pea varieties that align with both farmer and consumer preferences (Tanimonure et al., 2023).

Research initiatives led by the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have focused on developing early-maturing pigeon pea varieties resistant to diseases such as Fusarium wilt and pod borer. These advancements aim to facilitate large-scale production and commercialization (Vales et al., 2012; Zhao et al., 2020). However, assessing farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for these improved varieties is crucial. Understanding this willingness will inform researchers, policymakers, and breeders about the preferences of both farmers and consumers, ultimately enhancing the successful adoption of improved pigeon pea varieties.

Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) playa pivotal role in making improved seed varieties accessible to smallholder farmers through subsidized initiatives or free distributions. Increased productivity through technology adoption is imperative for the income generation and nutritional security among rural populations, forming a foundation for achieving a world free from poverty and hunger (Kumar and Sultana, 2010; IFAD, 2024).

While existing literature has documented farmers' willingness to pay for improved varieties across various crops, including cowpeas, soybeans, millet, and teff (Ongudi et al., 2017; Lugamara et al., 2021; Adjei-Nsiah et al., 2022; Tilahun and Tadesse, 2022; Agossou et al., 2023), there is a notable lack of research on the willingness to pay for improved pigeon pea varieties that offer desirable traits such as early maturity, drought tolerance, and high yield. This knowledge gap may hinder efforts aimed at promoting pigeon pea production in Nigeria. Therefore, analyzing farmers' willingness to pay is essential for informing breeders and enhancing the widespread cultivation of pigeon pea in Nigeria.

Consequently, this study seeks to investigate farmers’ willingness to pay for improved varieties of pigeon pea in Oyo State, Nigeria, addressing the critical challenges that currently constrain its production and identifying pathways for enhancing its contribution to food security and economic development. The objectives of this study therefore are to: 1. describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the pigeon pea farmers; 2. describe their level of awareness of improved varieties of pigeon pea and 3. analyze their willingness to pay for improved varieties of pigeon pea.