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Ashton Mutyavaviri
AMID shifting food preferences inspired by the push to take healthy and nutritious foods, groundnuts find themselves in a staple foods competition to assert themselves as either a substitute or permanent alternative.
Knowledge Transfer Africa (KTA) chief executive officer Dr Charles Dhewa recently hinted that groundnuts were competing very well in the mass markets with a 20-litre bucket of the shelled legume fetching between US$22 and US$24.
“Consumption patterns have shifted markedly from maize to a wide range of other commodities. Farmers have been roasting and drying groundnuts and selling them throughout the year. This has seen the crop competing well in the markets,” said Dr Dhewa.
He said fresh groundnuts were now coming in volumes from areas like Chipinge and from farmers with irrigation systems across the country. It is no longer just a food crop but a cash crop, explained Dr Dhewa.
“During the start of the season, there was high demand for the seed as many people were buying it. This has shown that people have realised the benefits of producing groundnuts,” he added.
Many people now produce their own peanut butter instead of buying from supermarkets, he observed.
Statistics from the markets as of March 11, 2024 show that a 20 litre bucket of fresh groundnuts was selling for between US$8 and US$10, a bucket of unshelled groundnuts was at US$10 while mumhare was US$10.
Incidentally, the hectarage for groundnuts has also increased by 12 percent this season after rising from 331 262 to 369 772.
The breakdown according to the provinces goes as: Manicaland 54 173, Mashonaland Central 73 249, Mashonaland East 62 707, Mashonaland West 27 910, Masvingo 65 745, Matabeleland North 7 761, Matabeleland South 21 306 and Midlands 78 226 hectares.
Groundnuts is one of the most popular crops grown in many parts of Zimbabwe. It is a valuable source of healthy fats and proteins; hence it is a crucial staple food.
They are an effective component of semi-arid farming systems. They are known for supporting nutrient recycling and soil carbon enrichment, vital in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, hence mitigating climate change.
Groundnut production is also being promoted, as a way of encouraging farmers to diversify to other crops and expand the export base and its farming presents a great opportunity for increased incomes and food security.
Government programmes such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) and interventions by the private sector and the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), have enhanced production of all crops this season thus ensuring greater food production.
Online Reporter