How to Grow Peanuts: Groundnut Farming Business Ideas


Farming is generally lucrative irrespective of the produce. It does not matter what you grow because there is always a market for agricultural products.
Peanut is an important cash crop that attracts good prices. This is because it is used in manufacturing and industrial applications.
To grow the legumes it is important to maintain proper soil PH level and nutritional requirements for the crop. Derivatives of peanut are peanut flour, peanut butter or processed peanuts.
 Peanut are grilled, fried, boiled or baked and the crop takes about 5 months to grow before harvesting. Here are a few ideas on how to start a peanut farm.
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Research
You need to know what it takes run a groundnut farm. Understudy peanut farms in your area and learn through practical experience.
Gather knowledge through books, online courses and websites. Attend seminars, agricultural workshops and agricultural institutions.
 You need to understand both the farming and business aspect to succeed. Things to consider include funding, marketing, storage and preservation.
What do you want to do with the peanuts sell to wholesalers, companies, export or process the nuts? The answer will guide you through the farming and marketing process.
Business Plan
To launch your enterprise you need a business plan. The business plan will provide a template for your enterprise.
The plan should focus on funds, landed property, and workers wages.  Other things in your plan are future growth, goals and management structure.
 You can include a feasibility study to find the best locations and competitors in your locality.
Soil and Agricultural Land
Buy agricultural land in a rural area suitable for growing peanuts. Once you have located and purchased the land you need to prepare it for farming.
The process of soil management, tilling and planting are labor intensive. The soil composition could be sandy clay or sandy loamy soil with optimal temperature at 30 degrees centigrade.
The soil should attain a PH level of 6.8 for germination to occur. Carry out a comprehensive soil analysis to find fertile land for groundnut production.
You also have to provide adequate water supply through a borehole, well or nearby stream. Other ways to sourcing water is through irrigation or buying from water tankers or natural ponds. Use crop rotation, weeding and organic pesticides to combat pests and soil fertility.
Fertilizer
Hire a professional to study the nutrients in your soil composition. The application of fertilizer depends on the prevalence and amount of elements in the soil.
Essential nutrients found in soil include calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. Once the nutrients status of the soil is established the soil manager applies fertilizer according to requirements.
Make sure the composite used should be bio degradable and organic.
Seed Preparation
During seed selection process avoid shelling and storage for extended periods. The viability of a seed is predicated on used with a week.
Select bold kernels for better yield than their smaller cousins. Make sure you buy high quality seeds for better result and quality nuts.
You can identify a good crop through its physical features or attributes such as the seedlings, roots, leaves and abundant yield. Control pathogens through seed treatment by coating the seed before sowing.
You can employ machinery to sow your seeds or employ labor to manually plant them.
Things to Consider before sowing you Seedlings
Once you have established the nutritional value and bought bold seedlings then the next step is sowing. Sow the seeds before the unset of rainy season and plant in a 6cm depth soil.
 Make sure your farm is well watered because a watering deficiency could cause many problems. Provide an effective irrigation system to water your crops.
Other serious considerations are weed control and casual labor costs.
Harvesting
You need a proper storage facility for your produce. The storage facility should be dry and resistant to pests and diseases.
The storage facility should be well ventilated and accessible. Harvest your peanuts through mechanized machines or manually.
You can store in open sacs but properly elevated from the ground. This is to prevent contact with wet surfaces.
Ways to harvest your crops includes manually pulling plants and the use of diggers. Other methods of harvesting are tractor-diggers, plow, blade harrow to cut roots and pulling plant from soil. Before striping the pods stack the harvest in the field for a few days.
Marketing
You can sell after harvest or process the groundnut for the end user. Sell to wholesalers, retailers and grocery stores.
Secure contracts with manufacturing firms for your produce. Advertise your products through electronic media, print media and a blog or website.





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