Groundnut is a leguminous crop cultivated for edible purposes. The oil content of the seed is estimated to be around 44–50%. Groundnuts do have specific kinds of varieties, which are also called earth nuts, monkey nuts, and goober nuts. In common terms, “monkey nuts” is a term used to refer to the peanut pod. Groundnuts are primarily used in the manufacture of soap, cosmetics, and lubricants, among other things. Haulms are called “haulms” and are also used as livestock feed.
Some of the major states in India that produce groundnuts are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Telangana.
Some of the factors need to be known while doing groundnut farming.
Environment.
- The soil in the cultivation area needs to be clear soil, devoid of stones and clay for effective output.
- It requires a minimum of 450 mm of water for the crop, which may vary from 450 to 1250 mm.
- A warm climate is good for cultivating groundnuts.
Land preparation.
- First ploughing should be done to a depth of 15–20 cm, followed by 3–4 cycles of disc harrows.
- The seeds are sown at a depth of 5–6 cm in the soil.
- Soil needs to be lightly pressed to keep the moisture intact.
Market opportunity
Because groundnuts are a major source of edible oil in the industry, it is the best source for farmers to start engaging in cultivating groundnuts. The governments of various states have released their schemes on minimum support prices to back up farmers’ ability to earn money securely.