Starting a Peanut Farm

The U.S. is among the world’s largest producer of peanuts worldwide. Are you interested in joining the industry as a peanut grower? We have a basic guide to help you. Read on and learn some basic information about how peanuts are cultivated, harvested, and prepared for sending out to peanut processors.

The U.S. is among the world’s top producers of peanuts. To support the industry, the government has set up programs to help farmers raise the crop and make profit out of it. For example, through marketing assistance loans that it provides illegible peanut growers.

fresh peanuts from the farm

There is recognized four major peanut cultivar groups, among them are Virginia and Valencia. Each cultivar grows best in certain types of soil and climate. And each also has each own recommended method and rate of planting, harvesting, and marketing. Each is also preferred for specific use because of certain properties like flavour and oil content.

Basics of Peanut Cultivation

Peanuts grow best in loose, well-drained, sandy loam soil that has lots of calcium. They grow fairly well in dry climate, although some do need irrigation so that their water requirement is met. As they are susceptible to frosts, they are planted after the weather has warmed in April through May. Seeds for planting are specially grown and treated. Peanut seedlings grow within weeks and begin to flower after a month. Peanuts self-pollinate and have a unique way of fruit development. After pollination, the flowers wither and the stalk below the ovary grows downwards and a legume develops. It will take about 5 months for a crop to fully mature.

Peanut Harvesting Practices

Peanuts should be harvested in just the right time. Too early harvesting will result to immature nuts and too late harvesting will result to the nuts being too weak for pullout they will remain in the ground. Peanuts are usually harvested when the foliage turns yellow. The crop is harvested in two stages: first, the peanut plants are uprooted with a digger inverter and allowed to dry for 3 to 4 days; second, a combine separates the nuts from the plant.

After harvest, the peanuts are dried and cured to prevent formation of toxin. The peanuts are then cleaned, shelled, sorted by size and graded. They are then packed and delivered to product manufacturers for making into various confections. Peanuts are graded by the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They must be certified safe for consumption before being sold.

Just like in any farming operation, the challenge in peanut farming is how to manage fix and variable costs to achieve maximum profitability. This is in addition to the challenge to increase yield.

For peanut farming equipment needs, visit Georgia-based Kelly Manufacturing Co. The company has equipment for every phase of peanut farming, from tillage, to harvesting to post-harvest cleanup.
 

40 Comments

  • rubnawaz said on June 4, 2009
    tell me about peanut plant sowing, irrigation, fertilizer, pest, all about.
  • alikhan said on June 12, 2009
    tell me more about peanut farming
  • Andrew Kolobe said on July 17, 2009
    Can I farm peanuts for oil production and is it a viable business.
  • James expert adviser said on July 17, 2009
    @Andrew Kolobe, Yes you can farm peanuts for oil production and it is a profitable farming business as well.

    Jestin James
    Startup Biz Hub - Senior Advisor (Staff)

  • K B Danso said on July 28, 2009
    I am starting a peanut farm, please where do i go for training. Thanks
  • Sam'x said on August 4, 2009
    Thank you for the info. Can somebody hook me up with a market for peanuts. I have close to twenty bags.
  • Mike H. said on December 9, 2009
    Anyone knows where to buy quality roasted peanut at wholesale volume and price? I'm located in New Jersey, I'm interested in supplier from anywhere in the U.S.. Thanks.
  • lohithkumar said on January 2, 2010
    can any one tell me how much to invent in 1 acre of land for peanut farming. regards, lohith
  • Victor B. Smith said on April 5, 2010
    I am interested in establishing a peanut farms in West African Country and I am looking for help or a company that can work with me. The money I have is not much but I have 600 hundred plus acres of farm land. If you are interest in helping me or becoming a partner I will appreciate hearing from you.
  • Vanesa said on April 26, 2010
    I'm interested in establishing a peanut farm in Houston, Texas and I am looking for help or a company that can work with me. Or if you still have land available I would be interested in knowing what your interest in starting a business with me
  • Humphrey Chang said on May 21, 2010
    We are interested in Peanut farming. We are based in Fiji , in the South Pacific region, having tropical climate year round. What kind of profitability does one expect from say 1 acre of land. Is it possible to secure two or more crops in a year ?
  • Muhammad Amjad Bashir said on October 20, 2010
    I want to grow the different crops like wheat in Nigeria. I have to start from zero.Please guide me which machinery and other agriculture inputs I have to require and their expanse With Thanks, Amjad
  • James Orrick said on October 25, 2010
    My name is James, I want to start growing peanuts. What I need is planting nuts, can anyone tell me where to find them. My location is Medford, Oregon; United States. Thank you for any help.
  • Bill Kinnerup said on October 25, 2010
    GLENDALE,ARIZONA. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN GROWING SPANISH PEANUTS,HARVESTING,AND MARKETING, OR MAYBE OTHER NUTS THAT WILL GROW IN OUR DRY SANDY SOIL.I HAVE 5 ACRES AND A GOOD WELL WITH SANDY SOIL.NEED INFO.SINCERELY, BILL.
  • PO2 Rommel Rodriguez said on December 30, 2010
    Iba, zambales ,philippines I am the president of the Justified Development and Reforestation Association.We have 430 hectares of land to cultivate.we need partner/s to join us plant and develop the area.we will plant Cassava, jathropa,and peanuts.Interested persons or organizations,company contact as immediately.Call tel num 047 811 3994.thank u
  • Ronald Smith said on July 10, 2011
    I am interested in establishing a peanut farm in Belize City,Central America and i am looking for help or a company that can work with me in this tropical region.If you are interest in helping me just send your e-mail .
  • Victor said on November 24, 2011
    We are located in Monrovia Liberia (West-Africa)and planning to start a peanut and corn farming.
  • Shiroya Rasik said on December 18, 2011
    I am form India interested in peanut seeds for sowing in Indian condition. Can you send a sample of it?
  • Sandeep Jagger said on May 28, 2012
    @Ronald Smith, please contact me so we can discuss Peanuts in Belize further. My email is sandeep at ipi dot tc
  • Jesse Rivera said on June 10, 2012
    i am interested in starting a peanut farm just south of ensenada baja california mexico, where can or how can i get some literature on how to start a peanut farm, second is there a lab where i can send some samples of my land (dirt) to find out if my land is good for peanuts? please any help will help me alot.jesse
  • Susan Hill Smith said on July 20, 2012
    Hello, I am interested in growing peanuts. I have recently learned that the plants make some of the best high protein have for livestock. Peanut butter is packaged and sent to starving children. I want to lease some land from my father who has not shown much interest in growing peanuts. He said there is a lot of work and expense involved. He is retired with over 50 acres and only part is being utilized. The soil is loose, rich and in the Sandhill region of NC. I am in a medical profession but farming is in my blood. Please help me with this project. Maybe I can help rid hunger one county at a time! Thanks Susan
  • Frank said on September 10, 2012
    we buy crude peanut oil, if you can supply , contact me by fenglong-qu@hotmail.com
  • joseph Pierre said on October 7, 2012
    Want to start growing peanut on 1200 acres in Northeast, Haiti, particularly in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
  • Zahir Shaikh said on October 8, 2012
    am interested in peanut farming on a commercial basis. from Malawi africa
  • claudette said on October 8, 2012
    I am interested in starting a peanut farm what is the first thing that I need to do? training included. (South africa)northern cape.
  • Robert said on November 30, 2012
    What do I need to start a Peanut Emporium?
  • Patrict said on March 26, 2013
    How to plant peanut, Type of soil and the time to plant
  • bill said on March 30, 2013
    I shall start one peanut plant in Virginia, pls tell how to do?
  • Gaiess said on April 24, 2013
    Hello We are a peanut butter factory based in Tunisia , we are looking for a peanut farm with how we can make business with trasability. We need 250 MT/first year to 450 MT third year, read peanut. Please send E-mail for more information
  • Sharon Bowe said on July 9, 2013
    HI, I WOULD LIKE TO START A PEANUT FARM IN THE BAHAMAS AND IS LOOKING FOR A COMPANY TO PARTNER WITH ME WITH THIS VENTURE. I HAVE THE LAND BUT NEED FINANCIAL HELP. PLEASE SEND E-MAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION.
  • Makuei Kon Padem said on October 11, 2013
    Dear Sir/ Madam, I am interested to start a Peanut Farm in Melbourne and I am looking for a Peanut Company Australia to help me. I do not have land and I need your help. I would like to know more how to get peanut farm license and cost of it. Please send me more information through my address as below: Makuei kon padem, 10 / 129 Anderson Road, Albion Vic 3020.
  • Dorothy Kiwanuka said on October 30, 2013
    Can peanuts be grown in Africa South of the Sahara. There is a different kind of peanut that is grown from the one in the USA. Raleigh, NC. USA
  • kenneth parchment said on January 15, 2014
    I am located in Jamaica, the center of the island I have 100 acres and I would like to plant peanuts on a large scale, can you give me some ideas as how to start. thanks in advance.
  • trninic branislav said on July 4, 2014
    dear adviser, i am from Croatia and i am very interested about planting a peanuts. the land for farming is on the 45 degree N with lot of sunny days and enough moisture. Where i can read about farming with machines for sowing and harvesting. i am asking you because u.s.is well known about farming a peanuts.regards from Croatia.
  • Puleng Conny Thothome said on March 10, 2016
    Hi adviser, I'm in Lesotho and would like to start peanut farm but I don't know if peanuts can grow here.I have got financial problems also.
  • sagir ibrahim parashi said on July 9, 2016
    I am about to start peanut farming here in potiskum yobe state, nigeria. i will keep on contacting you to give me some ideas, thanks.
  • Patiance Machete said on July 22, 2016
    I am located in Mpumalanga Province in South Afriaca, I am very interested in farming Peanuts, I have a very big land that i want to plant peanuts ongly, so i want to supply Oil and Peanut butter companies, interested contact me
  • Vilive Vavudali said on August 28, 2016
    I am located in fiji island I am interested Peanut farming. I have big land for farming and the land is along the river. so i can supply Peanut to companies. can contact me.
  • Rakesh said on October 22, 2016
    @Vilive Vavudali Can you send me your details via email with your contact no. i will be in fiji on Monday 24/10/16. I would like to discuss the peanut farming in detail with you.
  • Sharon Bowe said on March 12, 2018
    My husband and I would like to start a Peanut Farm in the Bahamas. Looking for a partner to assist in finance and training.

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