The land can be manually prepared using the conventional hand tools (hoes or torias). In most settings where cowpea is grown on old plots, field preparations start immediately with cultivation/tilling of the land. However, production on virgin land should start with clearance of bushes using axes and machetes before proceeding to till the land.
Trees and shrubs in the site are cut down manually, or grasses slashed and fallen trees removed from the field. Ridging can be carried out after harrowing if ridge planting is required. At least five to seven days should be allowed between each operation to allow for decay of bushes/ grass and decomposition by micro-organisms, thus enhancing soil fertility for good seed germination and growth. It is important to choose soil from which high production of cowpea may be obtained. A farmer must therefore select a well-drained sandy-loam soil in areas of high rainfall.
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