Groundnut production to increase

Harare - Zimbabwe's groundnuts output is projected to increase from last year's 85 000 to 130000 metric tonnes this year due to good rainfalls that were received throughout the country and most communal taking up the crop which is not usually affected by pests, an official has said.

Small Grains and Cereal Producers Association chairperson Basil Nyabadza told this publication that the increase is attribute with the increase in hectarage of over 155 000 hectares planted this year coupled by good rains.

"We are expecting an increased yield with good rains that were received throughout the country and the increase in hectarage," said Nyabadza.

He however said ground nuts farmers often lack satisfied or standardized seeds with many of them recycling which has result in reduce yield.

"there is a serious shortage of standardized seeds and this leaves our farmers with no option only to recycle which is not good and this result in a reduce output and they will not realize the good returns."

He said sugar beans markets have increased also with the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) buying the crop.

GMB has pegged ground nuts price at $1300 per tonne. Nyabadza said if the output is to increase from the initial seed companies should start a quality seed control that will be sold to farmers with certified label from certifying authorities.

Zimbabwe's small rural farmers are responsible for producing about 75% of the groundnuts and they use mainly Spanish cultivars that are grown in light soils.