Bambara Nuts
Post-harvest management
- Bambara groundnuts will mature at 140 to 170 days after sowing (depending on variety and climate
- Pods are mature ready when the inside layer of the pods show brown patches and the haulms will start yellowing
7.1 Methods used
- Harvest Bambara groundnut by hand lifting and pulling the plant or the taproot can be cut, using a groundnut harvester or ploughed out or hoed out.
- The nuts are then pulled off the plant, dried and stored or eaten raw.
- Harvesting small plots is often done over a period of time.
- Bambara pods can break off very easily and up to half of the pods can remain in the soil, requiring collection by hand.
7.2 Drying the pods
- Strip the pods from haulms and continue drying in the sun thoroughly dried before shelling or storing
- Pods are thoroughly dry when they make a rattling sound if shaken
7.3 Storage
- Bambara groundnut is best stored in the pods at household level.
- Shelling should take place only when the nuts are required for rations, sale or seed.
- Bambara nuts store well in the pods as the seed is extremely susceptible to weevil damage after shelling.
- If shelled the seeds have to be treated with insecticidal dust before storage.
- At times seeds are stored with sand or treated with wood ash to prevent insect damage on seed.
- Store in cool or well-ventilated structures