Agro-economic performance of three groundnut varieties (JL 24, ICGM 281 and G17) disseminated by INERA-Boketa in Peri-urban farming in Gemena, DRC

Abstract

This experimental study, conducted from April 13 to July 13, 2022, in the concession of the INERA Boketa Station (Gemena, Sud-Ubangi Province, RDC), aimed to evaluate the agro-economic performances of three improved peanut varieties (JL24, ICGM 281 and G17) under dissemination. The goal was to identify the best-performing varieties in terms of yield and profitability to boost peanut production in the region. Except for collar height and fresh pod yield, these three varieties were similar for the other agroeconomic parameters. The G17 variety was the most profitable (69.0 %), owing to its superior dry pod yield of approximately 1933 kg/ha, followed by ICGM 281 with a profitability of 63.8 % and a dry pod yield of 1873 kg/ha. Although JL24 was productive (1853 kg/ha), it was slightly less economically efficient (62.0 %). The shelling yields and dry seed yields follow same tendencies: 63.6% and 1227 kg/ha for G17; 63.0 % and 1180 kg/ha for ICGM281; 58.8 % and 1080 kg/ha for JL24. With attractive net margins due to positive financial profitability ranging from 62.3% to 69.0%, these three varieties can generate significant profits under the agroeconomic conditions of Gemena.

Keywords: Agroeconomics, yield; peanut, Peri-urban, Gemena