Global Perspectives on Groundnut Production, Trade, and Utilization: Constraints and Opportunities

Abstract

Globally groundnut is the second most important oil crop. Africa and Asia together contribute about 91% of the global groundnut production. There exists large variability in production and productivity across regions and countries. Several factors contribute to this variation in productivity, which in large part probably, could be addressed by developing greater input- and resource-use efficient cultivars. Concerted efforts are being made to develop such cultivars which should be popularized to make groundnut production more competitive and profitable to farming community. Availability of seeds of improved cultivars and adoption of integrated crop management technologies together with enabling policy environment are expected to accelerate and stabilize production. Groundnut is a wholesome food, increasingly being used in many parts of the world. Aflatoxin, a serious quality problem, adversely impacting both health and trade, should be addressed appropriately. Groundnut exporting countries need to explore new markets and develop new groundnutbased products to revive groundnut economy