Economic feasibility of irrigation management technologies for cowpea production in the cocais region (Maranhão state, Brazil)

Despite the low yield, cowpea is a crop of great socio-economic interest in Northern and Northeastern Brazil. Irrigation allows improvement in crop yield and profitability, especially when properly handled, for which, several management technologies are available. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate, economically, different irrigation management technologies to cultivate cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in two growing seasons (spring and fall) in the Cocais region, Maranhão State, Brazil. We carried out a trial at an experimental area of the Institute of Maranhão, in Codó County. The experiment was performed in a randomized block design with seven treatments and four replications. Thereby, it was performed an economic analysis from the perspective of sound investment opportunity, without considering risks associated with this activity. We found that, regardless growing season and/ or management technology, it was feasible to grow cowpea under conventional sprinkling irrigation at the conditions of the Cocais region. Furthermore, it was observed that spring cropping was more profitable for all treatments.