Lucknow: Jhansi is famous in the country and the world for its soft toys. The Yogi government further increased its fame by making it the ODOP (one district one product) of the district. Now the work that has been done on soft toys, the Yogi government is going to do the same with the peanuts of Jhansi. Under the UP: Agriz scheme being run with the help of the World Bank, there is a plan to develop Jhansi as a peanut cluster.
If this happens, then the peanuts of Jhansi will not only be available in the major markets of the country, but it can also be exported to foreign countries, especially to the countries of South East Asia.
This is how the yield and area of peanuts increased
Being multi-purpose, the farmers of Uttar Pradesh have also shown interest in peanut cultivation in the last decade. This has affected the production per hectare, per kilogram. Along with this, there has been an unprecedented increase in the area of peanuts. Through UP Agriz, the Yogi government will take maximum advantage of this in the interest of the farmers of Bundelkhand.
Peanut area in UP increased from 2 to 4.7% in a decade
According to the average of 2013/2014 to 2015/2016 of the Director of Economics and State Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, the yield of peanut per hectare in India was 1542 kg. In comparison, the yield of Uttar Pradesh was only 809 kg. At that time, peanut cultivation was done on a total area of 4.93 million hectares in the country. Then Uttar Pradesh’s contribution in the total area was only 2 percent. The situation has changed rapidly in about a decade. During this period, the area of peanut in Uttar Pradesh increased to about 4.7 percent. This increase is more than two and a half times.
Most peanut is produced in Gujarat
It is worth mentioning that the maximum production of peanut in the country is in Gujarat. Here, 47 percent of the country’s total production of peanut is produced in about 20 lakh hectares. After this comes Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The share of these states in peanut production is 16 and 10 percent respectively. As far as yield is concerned, the yield per hectare in the country has increased from 1542 to 1688 kg.
Peanuts of Jhansi will enhance the taste and also bring foreign exchange
In view of this trend of farmers and the demand for multi-purpose peanuts in the local market and in South East Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, etc., the government wants to develop Jhansi as a peanut cluster under the UP Agri Yojana with the help of the World Bank.
Uses and medicinal properties of peanuts
Peanuts contain protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, which help in heart health, digestive system and weight management. Peanut oil is extracted. It is used in cooking and beauty products. Peanut oil contains antioxidants and vitamin E. Therefore it is beneficial for skin and hair. Being a good source of protein and energy, it is also used in animal feed. Raw peanuts are boiled and eaten. Eating roasted peanuts after drying is common. Peanut cheese and butter are also made from it. Peanuts are also used in curry, chutney, salad and snacks.
Price of the peel along with the grain
Its peel is also used as fuel. Some companies also buy it at the rate of per kilogram. In this way, farmers will get the price of its peel along with peanuts. The government estimates that its ex-factory price will be up to Rs 5 per kilogram.
