Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea), Women and Deveopment: Impact on
Nutrition and Women's Roles in Western Africa  What are
Groundnuts?  Groundnuts are a staple food in many developing
countries. Also called peanuts, groundnuts are a protein rich
tuber that grows well in semi-arid regions.   There are two main
types of groundnuts: the American groundnut (Arachis hypogaea),
and the African groundnut, the Bambara nut (Voandzeia
subterranea).  Both are grown in Western Africa as a protein
source. Groundnuts also contain sufficient quantities of
carbohydrates and fats. After drying and roasting the groundnut
it can be used to make flour, soup, porridge, and milk.
Groundnuts are often grown by small farm holders and is
considered a woman's crop in Western Africa.  This web page
provides information on  groundnut production programs  in
Africa. It focuses on how to mobilize women agricultural groups
and can be used as an intial resource on groundnuts. This page
does not provide a how-to guide on groundnut production. Ho