Jhansi, which is famous for its tales of valour and also for handcrafted soft toys, is now being developed as a peanut cluster under a World Bank-funded agri programme.
The project is being propelled under the UP AGREES (UP Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) programme to promote the proposed peanut cluster.
The strategic plan is to promote the cash crop in the domestic and international markets, particularly Southeast Asia.
In the last decade, peanut cultivation has garnered significant interest among farmers in UP due to its multipurpose benefits.
This growing interest has led to a notable increase in both per-hectare yield and the overall acreage of peanuts.
Recognising the trend, the Yogi government plans to leverage the UP AGREES scheme to maximise farm benefits in the Bundelkhand region by developing Jhansi as a peanut cluster.
According to official data, the average peanut yield per hectare in India from 2013-14 to 2015-16 was 1,542 kg, while UP’s yield was only 809 kg.
During that time, peanut cultivation covered 4.93 million hectares nationwide, with UP contributing just 2 percent to the total area.
However, in the past decade, the area under peanut cultivation in UP has more than doubled, reaching approximately 4.7 percent of the total acreage.
Gujarat leads the national tally in peanut production, contributing 47 percent of the total output from 2 million hectares, followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, with shares of 16 and 10 percent, respectively.
Nationally, the average peanut yield per hectare has increased from 1,542 to 1,688 kg.
Given the rising demand for multipurpose peanuts in local markets and Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, the UP government aims to position Jhansi as a major peanut production hub under the UP AGREES scheme.
Peanuts is rich in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, offering numerous health benefits, including improved heart health, digestion and weight management.
Peanut oil, known for its antioxidants and vitamin E content, is widely used in cooking and beauty products, contributing to skin and hair health.
Peanut also serves as a valuable protein and energy source in animal feed, and are commonly consumed boiled, roasted or as peanut butter and cheese.
Additionally, peanut is used in a variety of dishes, including curries, chutneys, salads and snacks.
Even peanut shells have economic value, as they can be used as fuel or sold by the kilogram to companies, potentially fetching up to Rs 5 per kilogram.