Bambara Groundnut cultivation and processing: A Living Tradition in Ghana

12 June 2026. Field visit of GFAiR and Foodbridge (which leads GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods) following the NUS Africa's regional stakeholders conference. (9 - 11 June 2026. Accra, Ghana). 

For generations, the Krobo people of eastern Ghana have cultivated bambara groundnut as an important food crop, carefully adapting their farming practices to the rhythms of the seasons. Farmers traditionally grow two varieties of bambara groundnut, selecting each according to rainfall patterns and growing conditions. One variety is planted during the major rainy season, taking advantage of abundant moisture to produce high yields, while the other is better suited to the shorter rains and drier conditions. This seasonal approach reflects the deep agricultural knowledge of the Krobo, who have long understood how crop diversity can reduce risk and ensure food security throughout the year.

After harvest, bambara groundnut is stored using traditional methods that help preserve seeds for both consumption and future planting. Farmers carefully dry the pods before storing them in clay pots, woven baskets, or specially prepared granaries, often using natural materials to protect the crop from pests and moisture. These storage practices allow households to maintain a steady supply of nutritious food during the dry season while safeguarding valuable seed stocks for the next planting cycle. The crop's ability to remain viable in storage has contributed to its reputation as a reliable food reserve during times of uncertainty.

Beyond its agricultural value, bambara groundnut is woven into the cultural identity of the Krobo people. The crop is often associated with community celebrations and traditional festivals that mark harvests, express gratitude for nature's abundance, and strengthen social bonds. 

The main harvest festival of the Krobo people, is called the Ngmayem Festival, which means "Eating the New Millet" in the Krobo/Dangme language.

During these festive occasions, foods prepared from bambara groundnut are shared among families and visitors, symbolizing prosperity, resilience, and the enduring connection between people, land, and heritage. In this way, bambara groundnut is more than a crop—it is a living tradition that links Krobo farming knowledge, food culture, and community life across generations.

Related: CSIR warns indigenous crops are fast disappearing in Ghana

10 June 2026. The article highlights a warning from Ghana's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that indigenous crops such as water yam, African rice, cowpea landraces, bambara groundnut, and traditional leafy vegetables are rapidly disappearing due to changing consumer preferences, urbanization, climate change, and declining cultivation, threatening Ghana's food security, agricultural biodiversity, and cultural heritage despite growing international demand for many of these crops.

Related: Food Plant Solutions released a new resource for Ghana

Potentially Important Food Plants of Ghana has been produced to provide information on approximately 40 edible plants that are known to grow in Ghana. These plants come from all the major food groups and have been chosen because of their high nutritional value. Many of the plants in this book may be neglected and under-utilised plants. This means they may not be well known.

However, because they are high in many beneficial nutrients, and they are already adapted to the environment, and therefore likely to require minimal inputs, they could be important food plants that are likely to be superior to imported foods and plants. Commercially grown plants may also be included in the book, but only if they are significant foods for household consumption. 

Related: Can an underused legume transform food security in Ghana?

4 Sept 2025. In this deep dive, we travel to northern Ghana, where Grow Further and CSIR-SARI are developing the first commercial variety of Bambara groundnut, a highly nutritious, drought-tolerant crop traditionally grown by women. With the potential to reach 1.6 million farms in five years, this project is turning Bambara from a subsistence staple into a powerful tool for nutrition, income, and climate resilience.

Why Bambara Groundnut?

• Indigenous, protein-rich, and perfect for dryland farming
• Especially beneficial for infants and mothers
• In demand by food companies like WhatIf Foods for plant-based milk

Women Leading the Way

• Women farmers are central to this project, testing new varieties and setting priorities
• Improved seeds unlock income, food security, and leadership opportunities

What You’ll See:

• 🥔 How Bambara supports nutrition and soil health
• 🥔 Why it’s a climate-smart solution for northern Ghana
• 🥔 The future of Bambara as a commercial crop
• 🥔 Sustainable practices like biochar and composting improving yields