In a new paper published by the American Phytopathological Society, ICRISAT’s Sam Njoroge makes a critical review of peanut production in Malawi and Zambia, along with a look ahead at the options for improving quality, quantity and marketing of peanut in the region.
Peanut yield has increased over the past two decades – from 240 to 595 kg/hectare in Malawi and 307 to 454 kg/hectare in Zambia, according to FAO numbers Njoroge cites. But constraints still keep that productivity well below the 2,000 kg/hectare potential and aflatoxin contamination keeps producers from participating in European or South African markets, Njoroge explains.
Njoroge holds a PhD in plant pathology from Clemson University and has worked as an associate scientist on peanut pathology for ICRISAT based in Malawi since 2010. He served as a collaborating partner with the Feed the Future Peanut & Mycotoxin Innovation Lab (PMIL), as well.