Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linnaeus)

Description:

Groundnut-or peanut as it is also called-is a four-foliate legume with yellow sessile flowers and subterranean fruits. Native to South America, it originated between southern Bolivia and northern Argentina from where it spread throughout the New World as Spanish explorers discovered its versatility. Today, farmers in Asia and Africa also cultivate it. It is grown under a wide range of environmental conditions in areas between 40 degrees South and 40 degrees North of the equator.

The largest producers of groundnut are China and India, followed by Sub-Saharan African countries and Central and South America. Most of the crop is produced where average rainfall is 600 to 1,200 mm and mean daily temperatures are more than 20 degrees C.

Groundnut is a valuable cash crop for millions of small-scale farmers in the semi-arid tropics. It generates employment on the farm and in marketing, transportation and processing.

Statistics:

Groundnut is the 13 th most important food crop of the world. It is the world's 4th most important source of edible oil and 3rd most important source of vegetable protein. Groundnut seeds contain high quality edible oil ( 50%), easily digestible protein ( 25%) and carbohydrates ( 20%).

In 2004 groundnut was grown on 24 million hectares worldwide with a total production of 36 million metric tons.

Groundnut is grown in nearly 100 countries. Major groundnut producers in the world are: China, India, Nigeria, USA, Indonesia and Sudan. Developing countries account for 96% of the global groundnut area and 92% of the global production. Asia accounts for 58% of the global groundnut area and 67% of the groundnut production with an annual growth rate of 1.28% for area, 2.00% for production and 0.71% for productivity.

How it is Used:

The main use of groundnut is as a source of edible oil, but the high oil and protein contents also make it an important food crop.

Nutritional Information:

Groundnut is a valuable source of E, K, and B vitamins (it is the richest plant source of thiamine (B1), and is also rich in niacin, which is low in cereals). Groundnut cakes, formed after the oil is extracted, are a high protein animal feed. With proper processing, people also use the cake to make products, such as biscuits and baby foods.

Centers' Work on Crop:

A research on groundnut is important to the CGIAR because of the crop's important dietary contribution, its use as a cash crop and income generator, its potential in meeting part of the global demand for vegetable oils, its secondary value as animal feed and fodder, and its contribution to the sustainability of mixed cropping systems. The CGIAR believes that research on groundnut can resolve major production constraints.

There is close research collaboration in Asia and Africa between the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the national programs and advanced research institutions. The release of improved cultivars has significantly helped farmers throughout the world.

ICRISAT offers more information on groundnuts at their web site.

Sources:

ICRISAT web site.

FAO. FAOSTAT.

Encyclopedia of Agricultural Science.
Vol. 3. 1994. Academic Press.

Technical Advisory Committee. CGIAR Priorities and Strategies for Resource Allocation during 1998-2000.
April 1997.