In our developed economy, most of us find ourselves taking our needs and wants for granted. Save a weather disruption, we never worry about our food supply and, frankly, the supply of anything. We are fortunate to live in a state with a strong and growing economy.
In rural South Georgia, one of the drivers fueling Georgia’s economic engine resides beneath the ground.
In 2012, Georgia farmers produced more than half the U.S. peanut crop, up from 45 percent. These amazing little peas are a legume, like a pea.Geographically, they are grown below a line from Augusta to Macon to Columbus. Once the farmer harvests his crop, they are further processed in manufacturing facilities that shell the peanuts and process the food consumers love. At the farm level, peanuts are worth just under a half-billion dollars. By the time that moves through the economy, the value exceeds $2 billion to our state.
The last two years have seen the two highest yields in the history of Georgia peanut production. New peanut varieties from University of Georgia breeders and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been critical to this boost. The Georgia-06G variety led this list with the most acres planted in this single variety. An interesting note: Peanut varieties currently contribute the most annual royalty to the University of Georgia Research Foundation. Revenues are generated, directly or indirectly, from farmers who pay a royalty for peanut seed of varieties that came out of the university’s Peanut Breeding Program.
In 2012, we achieved record consumption, with a slight decline in 2013 due to loss of exports to China. Even in light of this loss, good news appeared late last year in the New England Journal of Medicine. The article pointed out the positive health benefits of consuming peanuts on a regular basis; consumption is poised to continue to grow.
This growth will be good news for consumers, farmers and our state’s economy. As it now stands, our ability to produce has progressed more rapidly than our consumption. This is a blessing and a curse. We have been successful in the research that molds our production practices, perhaps less so in marketing what we grow. With this new and exciting message to bolster promotion, we can find a balance between production and consumption.
Peanuts have been shown to have a beneficial effect on individuals with adult onset diabetes. They are a heart-smart food, high in mono-unsaturated fat that has a positive impact on blood cholesterol. Peanuts contain antioxidants that help repair damaged body tissue. And peanuts are a powerhouse of nutrition with protein, vitamins and minerals.
Georgia’s 3,500 family farmers who grow peanuts hope you never look at peanuts and peanut butter the same way again. They form the foundation for a healthy body and the economic health of Georgia.
Don Koehler is executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission.
