Velvetbean (Mucuna Pruriens) Production in Southern Africa

Abstract

Velvet bean is a high yielding leguminous forage crop that is high in nitrogen (N)/crude
protein content. It is usually sown as an N-fixing ley crop or as a green manure crop to
improve soil fertility. In the sub-humid regions it can be intercropped with maize to
improve soil fertility, maximize grain / herbage yields per unit area and provide mixed
crop for hay/silage making. Whether it is grown as a single or mixed crop Velvet bean
provides early dry season grazing or fodder for hay-making or mixed-crop silage
(improving the N content of cereal or grass silage). Its hay and silage can be used as
supplementary feed during the dry season as they both improve the digestibility of poor
quality roughages, such as maize stover. Mucuna is a prolific seeder and its seed (26 %
CP) can be used in home-mixed rations to replace commercial supplements. However, its
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grain is not so useful to non-ruminant livestock. It can only be used for human
consumption after reducing this toxin by boiling and discarding the water several times.
Velvet bean can be grown for soil fertility, green manure and as a cover crop in
Conservation Agriculture (CA)