Yogi government set to develop Jhansi as a peanut cluster

Lucknow : Jhansi, renowned nationally and globally for its soft toys, gained further recognition when the Yogi government designated it as the district’s ODOP (One District One Product). Building on this success, the Yogi government now plans to replicate this model with Jhansi’s peanuts.

Under the UP AGREES scheme, supported by the World Bank, there is a strategic plan to develop Jhansi into a peanut cluster. If successful, Jhansi’s peanuts will not only reach major markets across India, but also be exported to international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia.

In the last decade, peanut cultivation has garnered significant interest among farmers in Uttar Pradesh due to its multipurpose benefits. This growing interest has led to a notable increase in both per-hectare yield and the overall acreage dedicated to peanuts. Recognizing this trend, the Yogi government plans to leverage the UP AGREES scheme to maximize benefits for farmers in the Bundelkhand region by developing Jhansi as a peanut cluster.

According to the data from the Director of Economics and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, the average peanut yield per hectare in India from 2013/2014 to 2015/2016 was 1,542 kg, while Uttar Pradesh’s yield was only 809 kg. During that time, peanut cultivation covered 4.93 million hectares nationwide, with Uttar Pradesh contributing just 2 percent to the total area. However, in the past decade, the area under peanut cultivation in Uttar Pradesh has more than doubled, reaching approximately 4.7 percent of the total acreage.

Gujarat leads the country in peanut production, contributing 47 percent of the total output from about 2 million hectares, followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, with shares of 16 and 10 percent, respectively. Nationally, the average 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 Yogi government aims to position Jhansi as a major peanut production hub under the UP AGREES scheme.

Notably, peanuts are rich in protein, fiber, 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. Peanuts also serve as a valuable protein and energy source in animal feed, and are commonly consumed boiled, roasted, or as peanut butter and cheese. Additionally, peanuts are 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.