For many years, farmers in Chirundu believed that groundnuts could not thrive in their low-rainfall environment. This perception limited both production and access, forcing households to travel long distances outside the district just to purchase groundnuts.
“Farmers have always associated Chirundu with poor groundnut performance because of low rainfall,” explains Obrian Natala, Camp Extension Officer for Kayuni Camp. “But with the introduction of the MGV8 variety, which is medium maturing, we are demonstrating that groundnuts can actually grow well here.”
Through Farmer Field Schools, CTDT is introducing groundnut production in Chirundu building on the community’s existing knowledge of its nutritional and income benefits, while gradually raising awareness of its important role in improving soil fertility.
Traditionally, sorghum has been the dominant crop in the area. However, integrating groundnuts into farming systems through crop rotation is proving beneficial not only for improving soil fertility but also for enhancing household nutrition.
Groundnuts are rich in protein and play a critical role in addressing malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and underweight children.
For farmers like Edith Hampongo, this shift has been eye opening.
“We used to doubt if we could grow groundnuts here. We thought they wouldn’t fruit,” she shares. “But as you can see, we now have groundnuts. The MGV8 variety is good, and we can even use it to make cooking oil.”
Beyond production, the benefits are deeply practical. Groundnuts provide an affordable and accessible source of nutrition at household level.
“Groundnuts are good for our health, especially for pregnant women and children. If you give them groundnut porridge or relish, it helps a lot instead of spending money buying expensive food,” Edith adds.
Previously, accessing groundnuts meant traveling long distances, adding both cost and effort. Now, with local production taking root, farmers are gaining greater control over both their food and income.
“If you grow your own groundnuts, you don’t have to keep buying. We used to walk many kilometers just to buy them,” she said.
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