Scientists studied the best time to plant bambara groundnuts in Southern Africa. This African food crop is not widely grown. The team used 50 years of weather and soil information. They used a computer program to test how the crop would grow over 49 growing seasons.
October planting gave the most food in the tests. The rainy season usually starts around this month. Later planting can leave plants in very cold weather. This can damage them and leave farmers with less food to collect.
Many farmers in the region depend on rain to grow corn, wheat and rice. A lack of water and changes in the climate make this harder. Many local crops can grow with less water and in soil with fewer things plants need. Bambara groundnuts also have protein and other things people need to stay healthy.
The team studied areas in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. They made maps to help farmers choose suitable land. Researcher Richard Kunz said farmers need advice on where and when to plant these crops.
