Zambia Agribusiness Society

General Production Requirements 1.   Groundnut is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions. It is most susceptible to drought damage during flowering and kernel filling. It is not generally irrigated. 2.   Popular varieties are; Chipego, Natal commone, Makulu Red, MGS250, Nyanda, Kadonongo, Chalimbana, MGV4, Luena and Comet. 3.   Maturity period differs between different varieties but in the range of 20 to 21 weeks. 4.   A well-managed groundnut crop will yield 5 to 10 x 50kg bags per Lima (1 to 2mt/ha) dried nuts. 5.   Large seeded groundnuts growing in acidic soils produce pops (empty kernels). Land Preparation/Soil Type ·        Sandy Loam to soils with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal. ·        Effective rooting depth is 30cm. ·        Apply 20 x 50kg agricultural lime 60 to 90 days before planting (more if soil pH is too low). ·        Plough and harrow to a 30cm fine tilth seedbed. ·        Construct 15cm high ridges 75cm apart. Planting ·      

Introduction Groundnuts have over the past centuries been a celebrated favourite legume in Zambia. Groundnuts generally can be grown in most soil types however climatic conditions and soil nutrients have a huge bearing on the yield output. Groundnuts in Zambia can be grown for both commercial purposes and domestic purposes. The commercial production is further classified into two separate markets which are the vegetable market and the food processing market. The Peanut butter manufacturing industry is the most popular for the latter. This guideline seeks to equip growers to be able to efficiently grow groundnuts. Commodity competition is now based on cost more than ever hence the need for Zambian growers to obtain a low production cost. Climatic requirements Temperature Groundnuts require a high temperature and a frost-free period of about 160 days. They will not reach optimum maturity for a marketable yield to justify commercial production in areas with fewer heat units during

The following article details about how to grow groundnuts. 1. Utilisation Groundnut is a readily available source of protein, oil, vitamin E and several other mineral elements. The groundnut crop also replenishes soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. It is a source of cash for many farmers and its haulms and straws can be used as animal feed. 2. Land Preparation Land preparation must be done early enough (July or August) to allow decomposition of residues before the growing/rainy season. Residues should be buried under and the soils be ploughed deep (25 - 30cm deep) to achieve looseness for pegs to easily penetrate. Make flat topped ridges (beds) spaced at 75cm apart. 3. Planting Plant with the first effective rains (approximately 25 - 30mm). Make a groove 5 - 6cm deep on the middle of the ridge, drop a single seed every 15cm (75cm x 15cm x 1cm). Cover the groove firmly to ensure rapid and uniform emergence. 4. Seed  Use about 35kg/ha. 5. Weeding Weed at least twice dur

Aflatoxin, like foot-and-mouth disease, hinders the export of African products and agricultural produce to lucrative European, US and rich Asian markets. Often the communities have little knowledge of the existence of such problems and their socio-economic impact. In general, the communities do not have solutions to the problems caused by these diseases, as they do not fully understand them. Aflatoxin is known in chemistry science as a mycotoxin that, thus a micro dangerous chemical substance produced as a secondary metabolites by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus fungi. These fungi are widely studied due to their effect on humans and animals, as well as the economic implications thereof (Galvez et al, 2003; Chinnan & Resurreccion, 2013; Kaaya, 2014). Economic impact of aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts production Aflatoxin has been identified as the major problem in groundnuts trade for African countries who are losing about $760 million annually due to cont