Arachis hypogaea (L.)

Leguminosae family

Self-pollinating, 4X, 2n=40, 1C=2891Mbp

Groundnut is the 13 th most important food crop of the world. It is the world's 4th most important source of edible oil and 3rd most important source of vegetable protein. Groundnut seeds contain high quality edible oil (˜ 50%), easily digestible protein (˜ 25%) and carbohydrates (˜ 20%).

It is grown on 26.4 million ha worldwide with a total production of 36.1 million metric tons, and an average productivity of 1.4 metric tons ha –1 (FAO, 2004).

Groundnut is grown in nearly 100 countries. Major groundnut producers in the world are: China, India, Nigeria, USA, Indonesia and Sudan. Developing countries account for 96% of the global groundnut area and 92% of the global production. Asia accounts for 58% of the global groundnut area and 67% of the groundnut production with an annual growth rate of 1.28% for area, 2.00% for production and 0.71% for productivity.

In India, groundnut is grown on 5.7 million ha with a production of 4.7 million metric tons, with an average productivity of 0.8 metric tons ha -1 during the rainy season and in the post-rainy season it is grown on 0.9 million ha with a production of 1.5 million metric ton, and an average productivity of 1.6 metric tons ha -1 .

In Andhra Pradesh, it is grown on 1.6 million ha during the rainy season with a production of 1.6 million tons, and during the post rainy season it is grown on 0.3 million ha with an production of 0.4 million tons. Anantapur district in the state is the largest producer of groundnut with 0.74 million ha of area under cultivation.

Globally, 50% of groundnut produce is used for oil extraction, 37% for confectionery use and 12 % for seed purpose. In India, 80% of the total produce is used for oil extraction, 11% as seed, 8% for direct food uses and 1% is exported. Groundnut haulms (vegetative plant parts) provide excellent hay for feeding livestock. They are rich in protein and have better palatability and digestibility than other fodder.

Area, Production, Productivity

Developing countries account for over 96% of world groundnut area (26 m ha) and about 92% of total production (36 m t). Production is concentrated in Asia and Africa, where the crop is grown mostly by smallholder farmers under rain-fed conditions with limited inputs.

Asia accounts for:

• 58% of global groundnut area
• 67% of production

Africa accounts for:

• 38% of global groundnut area
• 25% of production

Groundnut is currently grown on nearly 26 m ha worldwide with a total production of 36 m t and average yield of 1348 kg ha-1. Between 1993 and 2003 annual growth rates worldwide (Figure 11) were:

• 2.17% for area (21 m ha to 26 m ha)
• 2.90% for production (26 m t to 36 m t)
• 0.74% for yield (1244 kg ha-1 to 1348 kg ha-1)

In Asia they were:

• 1.17% in area (13 m ha to 15 m ha)
• 2.35% in production (19 m t to 24 m t)
• 1.18% in yield (1390 kg ha-1 to 1600 kg ha-1)

The major gains in growth rates in Asia came from China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

In Africa

During the period 1993 to 2003, and unlike in the 1980's, the rates became positive with annual growth rates of:

• 4.35% for area (6.5 m ha to 10 m ha)
• 5.40% for production (5 m t to 9 m t)
• 1.05% for yield (800 kg ha-1 to 850 kg ha-1)

Nigeria, Sudan, Senegal, Chad, Congo, and Ghana contributed to positive growth rates in Africa.

Cultivars Released

Since 1986, our partners in National Agricultural Research Systems have released from ICRISAT-derived material:

• 34 improved cultivars in 11 countries in Asia, including 13 in India
• 25 improved cultivars in 14 countries in Africa

A large number of improved varieties are being tested on-farm in several countries.