In addition to its direct contributions to human nutrition, groundnut plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture. Through nitrogen fixation, groundnut improves soil fertility, making it an ideal rotational crop for enhancing the productivity of subsequent crops.
Where do Peanuts grow in Africa?
Peanuts grow well in southern Mali and adjacent regions of the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal; peanuts are similar in both agricultural and culinary qualities to the Bambara groundnut native to the region, and West Africans have adopted the crop as a staple.
Which countries produce groundnut?
Notably, the leading producers of groundnut are China, followed closely by India, highlighting the crop’s immense economic and nutritional significance in these regions. Groundnut’s versatility and adaptability are among its most valuable attributes, making it an accessible and reliable crop for farmers across diverse agro-climatic zones.
Why is groundnut oil important?
Beyond its role as a staple food, groundnut holds paramount importance in the oil industry. The high oil content in groundnut kernels, combined with its favorable fatty acid profile, makes it a favored source of edible oil worldwide.