Effects of Kenneth Cyclone on Groundnut Crop (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Two Districts of Northern Mozambique

Abstract

In Mozambique, groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in terms of importance is the third crop after maize (Zea mays L.) and cassava (Manihot esculenta). But due to geographical location, the country suffers major impacts of climate change and natural phenomena that also influence the production of this crop. The recent Kenneth cyclone that has affected Northern Mozambique, Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, is an example of such problems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kenneth cyclone on groundnut cultivation in Eráti and Meconta districts in Nampula province. The research used a questionnaire with closed and open questions to collect data from 31 producers and five traders in Eráti and Meconta districts. Based on the data the sum of the overall average production losses between the two districts was approximately 60%, in which Eráti lost 52% and Meconta 67% of the total production expected for groundnut. The biggest impact was the loss of unharvested groundnut germination and the deterioration of the groundnut in the field while drying. Kenneth cyclone created appropriate conditions for the proliferation of fungus causing aflatoxin, Aspergillus flavus. Samples collected for laboratory analysis showed high levels of total aflatoxins, some 269.4 ppb in Meconta and 148.3 ppb in Eráti. The purchase price of groundnut in Eráti during this period varied naturally based on product quality, with 0.8 US $/kg of groundnut that looks good quality (without the presence of fungus or mould, insect damage, rotten and germinated nuts) and 0.6 US $/kg for the poor quality (presence of fungus or mould, insect damage, rotten and germinated nuts). Kenneth cyclone affected the expectations of farmers in groundnut yields in the 2018/2019 season.