Genetic resources management, seed production constraints and trade performance of orphan crops in Southern Africa: A case of Cowpea

•Cowpea is a highly valued fruit and leafy vegetable crop contributing to food, nutrition, and health security.•Low cowpea production and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa and globally are due to a lack of improved cultivars with multiple disease, and insect pest resistance and drought tolerant; moreover, there is a lack of seed system research in cowpea.•The extensive phenotypic and genotypic variation found in cowpea genetic resources is useful for the development of cultivars with enhanced grain yield, leafy yield and nutritional values as well as drought tolerant.