CHAKWAL: The Chakwal grains market is unusually quiet for December, when it would normally be busy with sack laden trucks driving through the lanes lined with heaps of the groundnut crop, which is considered the cash crop of the Potohar Region.

According to the Punjab Agriculture Department, the production of peanuts is down by 50pc this year.

The decrease in crop yield is due to the increased temperature and the disturbed rain pattern.

“There was no moisture due to it not having rained in April and May, when it was time for the crop to be cultivated which was why there was reduced sowing in the area,” said Dr Mohammad Tariq, director of the Barani Agriculture Research Institute (Bari) Chakwal.

“There were also no rains later, which means that the crop could not grow properly and which affected the production,” said Rai Mohammad Yasin, the district agriculture officer of Chakwal.

The decreased production has affected farmers of the Potohar Region.

“I used to run my house with money I earned from peanut production and I was not able to grow the crop due to the drought,” said Sikandar Hayat, a farmer in Dhakku, who would grow peanuts on 20 acre of land.

According to the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, peanuts are cultivated on 81.5 thousand hectares across the country with an annual production of 91.4 thousand tonnes. It is estimated that 85pc of groundnut is produced in Punjab, with the Rawalpindi division accounting for more than half the production.

The crop is produced in just three of the five tehsils of the district including in Chakwal, Talagang, and Lawa because Kallar Kahar and Choha Saidan Shah are not suited for production due to their hilly terrain.

“Everyone is worried about climate change, except the rulers,” said Sardar Mansoor Hayyat Tammam, a progressive grower, who is also a local Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader.

“Groundnut is a climate sensitive crop and the whole of Potohar Region depends on this crop for making a livelihood from. But the government is not taking any measures for saving the crop from the effects of climate change,” he added.

Mr Tammam said the import of peanuts from India is also affecting local farmers.

“Why do we import peanuts when we can produce enough? The price of local peanuts fall when Indian ones come into the market. Indian peanuts cost less as the Indian government subsidises seed, fertilisers, electricity and agricultural implements for farmers,” he said.

Talking to Dawn, Dr Mohammad Tariq said that Bari Chakwal had introduced a new seed variety, the Bari 2016, which is more drought tolerant than the previous varieties.

“Once sown, the new variety only takes four months for getting ready for harvesting,” he said.

Peanuts are considered to be very nutritious. According to research conducted in the US, groundnuts are high in energy, protein, phosphorous thiamine and niacin and its oil is also easily digested.

“The oil is regarded as excellent aperients or a mild laxative and emollient which softens the skin. Eating fresh roasted groundnuts and milk is a very nutritious food for growing children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. It builds a resistance against all infections, particularly tuberculosis and hepatitis”, says a study conducted in the USA.

Peanuts are also considered beneficial for diabetics, those with diarrhoea, dental problem, obesity and its oil can also serve as beauty aid.

Published in Dawn December 27th, 2016