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Photo credits: ICART
Participants admire the peanut variety Samnut24 during a farmer field visit. Photo: A Diama, ICRISAT
Nigerian farmers beat heat with dry season peanut variety
Farmers in northern Nigeria have switched to growing groundnuts during the hottest months of the year. What started as just six farmers growing improved groundnut varieties during the dry season of 2012 has now grown to more than 5,000 farmers in northern Nigeria.
Unlike vegetables and fruits grown during the dry season, peanut production during this period coincides with peak demand for peanut seeds, so seed growers can take advantage of a ready market. In addition, peanut crop residues provide a good source of income for farmers at a time when feed prices are highest. Also, peanuts do not suffer from market oversupply during this period, as do fruits and vegetables.
“I have been a farmer and civil servant for 35 years. Since the introduction of this dry season groundnut three years ago, I harvested about 200 bags of groundnuts last year, in addition to fodder for my livestock,” said Mr. Abdulahi Abubakar, a farmer and legislator. “Unlike the varieties we used to grow during the rainy season, this groundnut is not damaged by pests.”
“The yield is higher in the dry season. If you can harvest one tonne in the dry season, you can only harvest half a tonne per hectare in the rainy season. Peanuts require less irrigation than tomatoes and maize. I want to expand from 42 to 100 hectares and mechanize it. I hope you can visit my mechanized farm during the upcoming dry season.”
“I encourage the youths in our area to take up groundnut farming. I will provide them with financial support when they start this venture,” Mr Abubakar said during a recent farm field trip he organized. “I also want to tell them to use improved seeds and proper planting methods and listen to the advice of the extension workers,” he said. Mr Abubakar’s farm is located in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Read the full article: ICART
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