PEANUT / GROUNDNUT

 What is Peanut?

Basic information about peanut

• The peanut, also known as the groundnut, goober (US), or monkey nut (UK), and taxonomically classified as Arachis hypogea, is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seeds. It is widely grown in the tropics and subtropics, being important to both small and large commercial producers. It is classified as both a grain legume and, due to its high oil content, an oil crop. World annual production of shelled peanuts was 44 million tonnes in 2016, led by China with 16,685,915 tons and India 6,857,000 tons of the world total. Atypically among legume crop plants, peanut pods develop underground (geocarpy) rather than aboveground. With this characteristic in mind, the botanist Linnaeus named the species hypogaea, which means "under the earth."

Peanut for health (Nutrition facts)

• Peanuts are similar in taste and nutritional profile to tree nuts, such as walnuts and almonds, and as a culinary nut are often served in similar ways in Western cuisines. The botanical definition of a "nut" is a fruit whose ovary wall becomes hard at maturity. Using this criterion, the peanut is not a typical nut. However, for culinary purposes and in common English language usage, peanuts are usually referred to as nuts.
• Peanuts are an especially good source of healthful fats, protein, and fiber. They also contain plenty of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, and B vitamins. Despite being high in calories, peanuts are nutrient-rich and low in carbohydrates.
• Fatty acids are an essential part of every diet. Most of the fats in peanuts are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are a healthful type of fat.
• According to the American Heart Association (AHA), consuming monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats instead of saturated and trans fats can improve a person's blood cholesterol levels. This, in turn, lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Peanuts are a good source of dietary fiber. They contain 8.5 g per 100 g, which around one-quarter of a male's recommended fiber intake or one-third for females.

Production of peanut

• Peanut cultivation began in South America dating back to 7500 years ago. In the 1st century, the plant reached Mexico where it further spread to North America, China, and Africa. The peanut is currently a common crop planted around the world. The following is a list of countries where peanuts are grown:

1. China – 16.68 Million tons

China grows more peanuts than anywhere else in the world. The production of peanut in the country contributes significantly to the economy. In China, groundnuts are mainly grown in seven regions according to the ecological zoning. 70% of the nuts are produced in the provinces of Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, and Henan. Household Responsibility of Cultivation System in China has led to an increased production of peanuts due to the incentive of semi-private ownership. The market economy for peanuts has also contributed to the increase in the yield per ha. China managed to produce 16,685,915 metric tons of groundnuts according to FAO. The country accounts for 8% of the world peanut export.

2. India – 6.8 Million tons

India is the second largest peanut producer in the world. The nuts are produced in different variety including Spanish, bold, and red natal. Groundnuts are primary sources of oilseed crop in the country and bridge the vegetable deficit in the country. The crop is planted in two cycles and harvested in March and October thus making the nuts available throughout the year. In India, the nuts are grown in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. India produced 6,857,000 metric tons of peanuts in 2016. The peanut major export destination for India includes Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia.

3. Nigeria – 3.02 Million tons

Nigeria is the largest groundnut producer in Africa accounting for 30% of the total Africa’s nut production. The nuts are mainly grown in the dry areas of Nigeria including Kano, Kwara, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna. Nuts are used in Nigeria to produce cooking oil and a source of protein for both human and animals. Nigeria produced 3,028,571 metric tons of peanuts according to the FAO report. Groundnuts account for 70% of the total export earnings for the country. Nigeria mainly exports its nuts to Indonesia and European Union.

4. Other Peanut Producers

37% of world nut production comes from China, 25% come from Africa, 21% originate from the America, and 6% come from the Oceania. The other primary nut producers include the US, Sudan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Senegal, Argentina, and Vietnam. The major exporters include India, Argentina, US, China, and Malawi while the major importers include Netherlands, European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, Germany, and Russia. Groundnuts are mainly cultivated in areas with sandy loam soil especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Apart for human consumption, the nuts are also exported as animal feeds.

PEANUT PRODUCTION IN INDIA

- Groundnut is Major oil seed crop of India and also an important agricultural export commodity. In India, though ground is cultivated in one or more season’s kharif (sowing beginning of rain season), Rabi (harvest in spring) and summer. Nearly 80% of the annual acreage and productions come from Kharif Crop (June-October).

- Kharif-2018 all Indian groundnut acreage was 38, 90,000 hectares. Gujarat (14, 67,600 ha; 37.7%); Andhra Parades (6, 60,000 ha; 17%); Rajasthan (5, 49,052 ha; 14.1%); Karnataka (3, 82,940 ha; 9.8%); Maharashtra (1, 95,594 ha; 5.0%)

A majority of groundnut farmers (51 to 67%) owned farm land smaller than two hectares. At national level, the peak period of sowing was 8 June to 5 July. The largest extent of sowing was done during 8 June to 14 June in both Rajasthan (28%) and Maharashtra (42%); and during 28 June to 5 July in Gujarat (31.2%); Andhra Pradesh (25.2%) and Karnataka (22.9%). Most farmer’s procured seed from the local vendors while some used their home-grown seed, for managing diseases and insects, was commonly practiced among the farmers of Gujarat and Rajasthan (98-99%). Among the surveyed states, the highest yield of 2051 kg/ha was estimated for Rajasthan, followed by 1421 kg/ha for Gujarat, 1361 kg/ha for Maharashtra, 883 kg/ha for Andhra Pradesh and 750 kg/ha for Karnataka. The national average yield was estimated at 1336 kg/ha.

The combined production of these five states was estimated at 43, 47,298 MT which accounted for 83.6% of the estimated national production. With 20,84,780 MT, Gujarat contributed 40.1% of the national production followed by Rajasthan (11,26,206 MT; 21.6%,) Andhra Pradesh (5,82,972; 11.2%), Karnataka (2,87,178 MT; 5.5%) and Maharashtra (2,66,162; 5.12%) while the joint contribution of the remaining states was estimated at 8,48,698 MT i.e. 16.4%. Thus the all-India kharif 2018 production was estimated at 51, 95,990 MT.

In kahrif 2018, the rainfall was rather irregular and deficient in major groundnut growing regions. Due to a combined effect of shrinkage in acreage by 6.3% and irregular and deficient rainfall, the kharif 2018 production (51.95 lakh MT) was estimated to be lower than that of kharif-2017 season (62.21 lakh MT)

Government of India put maximum effort in Peanut day by day to increase the production with the values. Currently established as much as relation values with farmer to educated more about the technology and boost their enthusiasm to make larger product in each years.

Period of sowing: In the surveyed states, on a combined basis the sowing operations began in the first week of June and were concluded in the second week of August.

The weeks during which sowing of more than 10% of the final acreage of the state was completed are indicated in table 3. The peak period of sowing lasted for about one month in all the states except for Karnataka where it was protracted for over 40 days.

However, the bulk of sowing began earliest in Rajasthan and Maharashtra i.e. in the first week of June. In Gujarat the bulk of the sowing began in the third week of June while in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the first week of July.

Maximum extent of sowing was done during 8 June to 14 June in both Rajasthan (28%) and Maharashtra (42%); and during 28 June to 5 July in Gujarat (31.2%), Andhra Pradesh (25.2%) and Karnataka (22.9%). Thus at national level, the period of 8 June to 5 July appeared to be the period of maximum coverage