Peanuts are harvested by loosening the plants from the soil and lifting them out of the ground. This is primarily done using specialized machinery.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Loosening and Lifting: Peanut farmers use a machine called a "digger" or "peanut inverter." This machine has a blade that runs underground to sever the peanut plant's root from the soil. Simultaneously, the digger lifts the entire plant, including the peanuts (which grow underground, hence the name "groundnuts"), from the earth.
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Inverting the Plants: The digger inverts the peanut plants, shaking off loose soil and leaving the peanuts exposed to the sun. This allows the peanuts to begin drying in the field.
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Drying: The peanuts remain in the field for several days to dry. The sun and wind help reduce the moisture content of the peanuts, which is crucial for proper storage and preventing spoilage.
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Combining: After the peanuts have sufficiently dried, a combine harvester equipped with a peanut-picking head separates the peanuts from the rest of the plant. The peanuts are collected into the combine, while the remaining plant material is left in the field.
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Cleaning and Storage: The harvested peanuts are then cleaned to remove any remaining dirt, debris, or plant material. Finally, they are stored in specialized facilities to maintain their quality until they are processed for various uses.
In summary, peanut harvesting is a two-step mechanical process involving digging/inverting and then combining. The peanuts are lifted, inverted for drying, and then threshed from the vines by the combine.
