World Geography of the Peanut is a project
of the Peanut CRSP, University of Georgia. This project is made
possible through support provided by the U.S. Agency for International
Development, under the term of Grant No. LAG-G-00-96-0013-00. The
opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the USAID.
This project is a research and information initiative aimed at understanding
and disseminating information on peanut production and utilization systems
around the world through systematic research and publication. The project
links the biophysical aspects of the peanut cropt to human dimensions
at the international, natioanl, and local levels. Basically, it answers
following questions: who grows peanuts, where it is grown, in what geographic
regions and countries, under what climate, in what farming systems,
using what kind of cultivation practices, and varieties? It also concentrates
on peanut trade as well as how peanuts are used in different parts of
the world.
During the past four years, an accessible global database (500 studies;
5 detailed country studies) on peanut and a corresponding networking
system to generate information on socioeconomic forces, production zones
and systems, post-harvest patterns for monitoring social equity, technology
exchange and environmental protection has been established. Given increasing
advances in information technology (Internet, CD-ROM, web-based training)
as well as accumulating information about peanuts, the need for further
advancing an integrated global, national, and regional agroecologically
framed database is greater than ever. Scientists, policy makers, producers,
and consumers are requiring more systematic information. The need is
especially high for extrapolating between similar production systems
and setting of sound research agendas for the CRSP and national programs.
Finally, an integrated statistical and spatial database is necessary
to establish baselines and monitor long-term social and environmental
impacts of changes in peanut production and use. The project will generate
decision support tools and information based on user needs in the global
peanut research and development community.
Objective:1. Build through a networking approach a low-cost Global
Peanut Knowledge Base emphasizing the integration of socioeconomic data
with biophysical and agroecological data.
Objective:2. Design and implement a peanut research data sharing/archival
website (thePeanut Data Clearinghouse) based on the National Spatial
Data Infrastructure model.
Objective:3. Analyze representative peanut food systems and production
zones for further in-depth, low-cost "ground truthing" research
and extrapolation testing involving social and biological scientists
in host country studies, and dissemination of spatial data in an Almanac
Characterization Tool format.
Project Management
Robert E. Rhoades, PI
Director, Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory
Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia
Virginia Nazarea, Co-PI
Professor, Dept. of Anthropology
World Geography of the Peanut
The Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory
Dept. of Anthropology,
250 Baldwin Hall
University of Georgia,
Athens, GA 30602
Tel. : 706-542-3141
Fax: 706-542-5617
For more information about the Project and SHEL
email: shel@uga.edu
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