Peanut farmers expect bumper harvest
Good rains, and no pests so far, have raised expectations of a good peanut harvest this year.
STAFF REPORTEr
WINDHOEK
The country's 15 groundnut producers have planted a total of 1 000 hectares of peanuts since last November.
Dawie Kok of the Groundnut Association of Namibia says these fields have received good rains so far.
“With more rain likely to fall in March and April, we expect an above-average harvest this year.”
He says if producers harvest one tonne per thousand hectares, it is regarded as fairly good or moderate.
“One-and-a-half tonnes is good and with favourable conditions, even two tonnes of peanuts can be obtained from a thousand hectares,” Kok explains.
He says at this stage the crops are still free from pests, and although some crops showed signs of leaf spot after the rain, matters are still under control.
The beans remain in the soil for 140 to 150 days and this year will be harvested from mid-April to early May.
“First the peanut roots are cut and then the beans are placed in windrows. After two days the harvester puts the pods in bags and then they are left for five days so that the beans can become even drier.”
The beans are stored and later exported to a factory in Schweizer-Reineke in South Africa.
Some of the beans remain in the country, but most are exported, he says.
“Peanuts are a good crop that can alternate with maize or other crops. It grows very well with maize fertiliser, so the previous year's maize fertiliser can be utilised for the new year's peanut harvest.”
WINDHOEK
The country's 15 groundnut producers have planted a total of 1 000 hectares of peanuts since last November.
Dawie Kok of the Groundnut Association of Namibia says these fields have received good rains so far.
“With more rain likely to fall in March and April, we expect an above-average harvest this year.”
He says if producers harvest one tonne per thousand hectares, it is regarded as fairly good or moderate.
“One-and-a-half tonnes is good and with favourable conditions, even two tonnes of peanuts can be obtained from a thousand hectares,” Kok explains.
He says at this stage the crops are still free from pests, and although some crops showed signs of leaf spot after the rain, matters are still under control.
The beans remain in the soil for 140 to 150 days and this year will be harvested from mid-April to early May.
“First the peanut roots are cut and then the beans are placed in windrows. After two days the harvester puts the pods in bags and then they are left for five days so that the beans can become even drier.”
The beans are stored and later exported to a factory in Schweizer-Reineke in South Africa.
Some of the beans remain in the country, but most are exported, he says.
“Peanuts are a good crop that can alternate with maize or other crops. It grows very well with maize fertiliser, so the previous year's maize fertiliser can be utilised for the new year's peanut harvest.”
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