Significant problems also occur in south-east Asia, Africa and South and Central America. Groundnut is a major crop in Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, and is the primary source of cash or barter for hundreds of millions of the rural poor in Asia and Africa. In India, the reduction in cash availability from white grub infestation impacts on the farm family's ability to service debt, educate their children and pay for basic health care, and reduces the attractiveness of remaining in the agricultural lifestyle. Groundnut is a major source of cooking oil and protein in India, and in addition is widely used as a snack food. However, vegetable oil availability in India still lags behind what is required for minimum human nutrition, with adverse effects on health nationally.
Groundnuts are highly susceptible to white grub damage.
A solution to the white grub problem, even a partial one, will have significant benefits at the farm, community and country levels. Groundnuts are generally grown in rotation with a range of other crops, especially cereals. Though these other crops are often less susceptible to damage by white grubs, they can contribute to the development of damaging pest populations. White Grub damage in India International White Grub Research Programs Research programs focussing on white grubs exist in several parts of the world. Principal Entomologist Dr John Rogers.