Zambia Agribusiness Society

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