HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS | Page 19

A COMPREHENSIVE & PRACTICAL GUIDE ON HOW TO START CASSAVA FARMING & PROCESSING BUSINESS By: Micheal B. O. HARVESTING OF CASSAVA FARM HARVEST MATURITY In regions with seasonal rains, cassava can be harvested throughout the year when the tubers reach maturity. Harvesting usually takes place in the dry season, during the dormant period of the plant. In areas where rain prevails all year round, the crop can be harvested throughout the year. Maturity differs from one variety to the next. The tubers can be harvested between six months and three years after planting, but for food purposes harvesting can take place at almost any age below 12 months. Harvesting may be delayed until market, processing, or other conditions become favourable. With regard to starch production, cassava should be considered ripe when the yield of starch per hectare is at its highest. In experiments with certain strains of the variety, an optimum age of 18 to 20 months was found. It is seen that both tuber and starch production rapidly increase to reach a maximum value, after which tuber production decreases slowly and starch production much more rapidly on account of the declining starch content of the tubers. If the tubers are left in the ground, the starch content increases with age until, at a certain point, lignifications takes place, causing the tubers to become tough and woody and making it more difficult to prepare them for consumption and other uses. Hotlines: 09090040011, 09031617999. 19. E-mail: [email protected]