GROUNDNUT PRODUCTION GUIDELINES
Groundnuts (peanuts) are an important source of nutrition and income across Zimbabwe.
Common Varieties
i. Long season varieties -
150 to 190 days to mature.
ii. Short season varieties -
100 to 140 days to mature.
Common Groundnut Varieties in Zimbabwe
SHORT SEASON LONG SEASON
100 - 140 days to mature 150 - 190 days to mature
1. Falcon 1. Dendera
2. Njiva 2. Guinea Fowl
3. Natal Common 3. Flamingo
4. Jesa 4. Ilanda
5. Teal 5. Mwenezi
6. Nyanda 6. Ngezi
7. Tern
8. SC Orion
9. Shinje
The Peanut Plant Growth Cycle
This product was produced with assistance from the American people jointly sponsored by Feed the Future and USAID
Step 1. Preparation and Planting
Prepare land early so planting can begin after the first effective rains (generally mid-November) to
maximize yield and minimize pest and disease.
Crops require minimun rainfall of about 300-500 mm for early maturing varierities. Test soil to
determine fertilizer quantities.
In the absence of soil analysis, the recommended dose is 150 to 250 kg/ha compound L or compound
D basal fertilizer (or similar), before planting.
Choose high-quality seed appropriate to the growing area (see table guidlines below).
Step 2. Cultivation of crops
Dress seed with Thiram to control fungal and bacterial growth.
Plant at a seed rate of 100kg/ha and use a pre-emergence herbicide if available.
Seed spacing: 5 - 7.5 cm rows in 45 cm rows or 7.5 cm - 11 cm apart in 30 cm rows; 5 - 7.5 cm depth
(on flat areas)
On ridges: 60 cm between ridges and 10 cm within the ridge.
Top dressing with at least 100 kg/ha gypsum over the plant rows at flowering to prevent pops.
If possible, a second application of 100 kg/ha gypsum 4 weeks later is recommended.
Check for aphids, disease, and leaf miners - and apply control measures as needed.
Ensure good weed control at all stages - at pegging hand weed.
This product was produced with assistance from the American people jointly sponsored by Feed the Future and USAID
Step 3. Harvesting
Harvest when 70% or more of the pods are mature.
Use dark markings on the inside of the shell as a measure of maturity.
If the crop is severely defoliated (95%) or sprouting has begun, harvest straight away.
Step 4. Curing
Two methods of curing are typically used in Zimbabwe
1. A-frames
2. Mandela cocks
Plants should be inverted in win drows for 3-5 days to allow them to wilt before curing. For Mandela
cocks, dry for 3-4 weeks with pods inside to protect them from sunlight and rain. A good indication
that pods are dry is when seeds rattle inside the pods and then pickoff the pods.
During hot dry weather, groundnuts should not be kept in windrows for a long time – provided the
weather is not very hot and dry, groundnuts are safe in windrows for up to 10 days, but longer during
cool, wet weather.
This product was produced with assistance from the American people jointly sponsored by Feed the Future and USAID
Step 5. Handling
Ensure good drainage to avoid windrows and cocks being spoiled by standing water during wet weather.
Elevate off the ground when handling to limit moisture and exposure.
Clean off excess soil from pods.
Before storing, remove poor, damaged, shriveled, rotten or fungus-infected pods.
Step 6. Storing
Moisture content should be 6% to 8.5% to minimize pod damage and contamination by Aflatoxin.
Store pods in hessian bags in a cool, dry, well-ventilated storage space that is rodent free away from walls
on wooden planks.
Do not use plastic or poly weave bags. This will restrict air circulation and slow down drying.
Clean sacks by airing and check for mold and left-over pesticides.
Hand-sort to remove rotten or damaged seed, and to minimize the risk of aflatoxin contamination.
Check that the groundnuts are dry before storing, do not store moist groundnuts.
It is highly recommended to store groundnuts in their shells.
The longer groundnuts are stored or in transit (to market) the higher the risk of Aflatoxin.
This product was produced with assistance from the American people jointly sponsored by Feed the Future and USAID
