Groundnut takes around 4 months for pod development. The ideal harvesting time is when a good number of pods are fully developed and are fairly intact.

Maturity of pods is normally achieved when the stem begins to turn yellow and leaf starts shedding. This can be further tested by pulling out a few plants in random. If the inner shell is brownish black and not white, then the crop has matured.

Another method is to make the pod split open. It will be very difficult to split open a fully mature pod with the pressure of the fingers. An immature pod on the other hand can be split easily. The inner side of immature pods will be white and spongy.

Irrigate the field prior to harvest. Pull the plant without causing much damage to pods. Never keep the pulled out plants in heaps when they are wet. Such practice will result in sprouting of the pods.

Strip off the pods from the plants. Dry the pods in the sun for 4 or 5 days. Keep it under shade for 2-3 days. Repeat drying for 2 or 3 more days to ensure complete drying. When temperature is very high, avoid direct sun drying.

Store the pods in gunny bags over a layer of sand. This practice will avoid any moisture coming in contact with dry pods.