New land suitability maps for bambara groundnut

Researchers conducted a computer simulation of Bambara groundnut growth over 49 and up to 50 consecutive growing seasons. The aim of the work was to determine the most suitable areas and months for the sowing of this drought-tolerant crop in South Africa and Eswatini, taking into account daily weather conditions rather than long-term climatic averages.

The study used the AquaCrop crop growth model developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The authors tested four different planting months and accounted for daily weather variations throughout the entire six-month season. The simulation showed that October is generally the most favorable month for growing this crop under rainfed conditions.

The scientists found that accounting for the frost factor reduces the regions suitable for October sowing by 28%, because fewer plants survive by the end of the season due to the risk of frost. Another 20% of land was excluded due to current use for mining, urban development, commercial forestry, sugarcane, and fruit trees. The resulting maps are designed to help farmers avoid unsuitable areas.

To expand the cultivation of the crop in South Africa, support from government and agricultural services, as well as the development of reliable markets and value chains by the private sector, is required. In July 2025, indigenous crops were officially declared agricultural products under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act.