Groundnut Cultivation: Nutty Methods Guide for Profitable Farming

Groundnuts are small pockets of nutritious jewels. They are rich in macronutrients like protein, fibre, and vitamins; micronutrients like magnesium, iron, and potassium and are consumed in India in large quantities. From being a crunchy snack, it is an important ingredient for making cooking oil, butter and confectionery, making it a versatile and profitable crop for farmers. Apart from its seeds, the oil cake, which is the remains after oil extraction, also has multiple purposes. It is used as soil nutrition, increasing its fertility, as animal feed; the cake is rich in micronutrients such as nitrogen, potash, and phosphorus.

Groundnut cultivation in India is significant. With a production of over a lakh tonnes per year, India ranks as the second-largest producer of groundnut after China. Groundnut plants are small with round green leaves, and the groundnut grows inside the ground under pods called pegs. Also called peanuts, their botanical name is Arachis hypogaea. They are not true nuts, but legumes.

What to know to cultivate groundnuts

The right soil to grow

Groundnuts need well-drained, sandy loamy soil to grow with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. They cannot tolerate saline soil, thus are not suitable to grow near coastal regions. They grow best in sandy soils, and clay or heavy soils are not ideal as they hinder the penetration of the pegs into the soil, leading to small or poor pod formation. 

In the deep ploughing lands of 20-25 cm, with loose and friable soil structure, seeds are sown for easy peg penetration and pod propagation. Groundnut, being a legume plant, fixes its nitrogen in the soil; thus, the manure and fertilisers mostly focus on phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. These nutrients are needed for root and pod development. Potassium is for overall plant health and disease resistance. 

Planting the seeds

Groundnuts are sown in the monsoon season with proper spacing between rows. Some varieties, like Virginia and Runner types, require a wider spacing of 45-60 cm and 20-30 cm between plants. Varieties like Spanish and Valencia need about 30 cm between rows and 10-15 cm between plants.

Water management and irrigation

Groundnuts need consistent moisture, especially in the beginning stage of flowering, peg formation, and pod development. Do not waterlog to ensure good germination and seedling. Consistent moisture is needed during flowering and pod formation. In maturity, crops need less water.

Weed and pest control

Weeding by hand works well, particularly in the beginning. But once pegging has begun, take care not to disturb the soil. Pre-emergent herbicides are sprayed before planting. 

Common pests affecting plants are aphids, thrips, and leafhoppers. Regular monitoring of crops is necessary. Employ integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, which include biological controls, cultural controls, and the sparing application of pesticides when required.

Harvesting and post-harvesting management

Harvesting should be done at the exact time. Determine the kernels within the pods to check maturity. If the seeds are plump, firm and have a characteristic colour, they are good to harvest. 

Usually, groundnuts are dug up from the ground. While large-scale operations use mechanical diggers, small-scale farmers use hand labour.

The groundnuts must be thoroughly dried to a moisture content of 8–10% following harvest. This stops moulds and fungi from growing, especially Aspergillus flavus, which makes the extremely harmful aflatoxin. They are stored in a jute bag when fully dried and stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

Varieties of Groundnut:

Spanish and Valencia: These are bunched-type varieties with a shorter growing period (90 – 120 days). They are used for oil extraction and confectionery because of their high oil content. 

Virginia and Runner: They have a longer growing season (130 – 150 days). They are well-liked for peanut butter production, snacking, and roasting because they yield larger pods.

Conclusion:

Groundnut cultivation is quite profitable in India as its market demand is huge and consumption is regular. With the correct methods of farming and the right variety, you can start cultivating groundnuts.

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