Cowpea – Kashi Nidhi (Vegetable Cowpea / Lobia)

• ·Early Maturing Variety – Begins flowering in ~40–45 days and is ready for harvest in about 50–55 days after sowing, giving quick returns.
• ·High Yield Potential – Produces ~140–150 q/ha of attractive green pods under recommended conditions, making it profitable for commercial growers.
• ·Plant Habit – Dwarf, bushy and compact (45–50 cm) plant type that is easy to manage even in small plots or intensive systems.
• ·Attractive Pods – Long (~25–30 cm), dark-green slightly curved pods with uniform size and strong market appeal.
• ·Disease Resistance – Tolerant to Cowpea Golden Mosaic Virus (CGMV), reducing production losses and lowering disease management costs.
• ·Adaptability – Photo-insensitive (can be sown in multiple seasons), suitable for summer and rainy cropping across various zones (e.g., Punjab, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand).
• ·Market Appeal – Tender pods with excellent colour, size, and uniformity are highly preferred in fresh vegetable markets, boosting returns for farmers and retailers. �

 Seed & Crop Info

• ·Developed / Origin: ICAR – Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi (released variety).
• ·Seed Rate: ~20–25 kg/ha for bush types (standard seed rate guideline for vegetable cowpea).
• ·Spacing: ~30 × 15 cm (depending on local practice).
• ·Suitable Seasons: Summer and rainy cropping (depending on climate and irrigation availability).
• ·Harvest Window: Multi-picking possible once pods mature, continuing over the season.

 Why Farmers & Gardeners Prefer Kashi Nidhi

• ·Quick crop cycle –  early harvesting increases cropping intensity and profitability.
• ·High yield + uniform pods – great for fresh market demand.
• ·Compact, bushy plants  – easy to manage in small and large fields.
• ·Virus tolerance lowers chemicals and cost while improving reliability.
• ·Wide adaptability – suitable for diverse growing zones and seasons.