Cassava Production Guide in the Philippines

Cassava is a vital crop in the Philippines, serving as a primary source of food and income for many farmers. This guide provides essential information on cassava production, include planting, harvesting and processing, to help Filipino farmers enhance their yield and profitability.

Cassava tubers

Climate and Soil Requirements:

Cassava thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. It prefers well-drained, sandy loam to clay loam soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.

Variety Selection:

Choose varieties that are high-yielding, disease-resistant, and suitable for the local climate. Recommended varieties in the Philippines include CIAT 30576, TMS 30572, and KM 94.

Seed Preparation and Planting:

Use healthy, disease-free cuttings for planting. Cuttings should be about 20-30 cm long with at least 5-7 nodes. Plant cuttings vertically or at a 45-degree angle, ensuring that at least two nodes are buried in the soil.

Land Preparation:

Plow and harrow the field to improve soil aeration and drainage. Apply organic fertilizers like compost or manure to enhance soil fertility.

Planting Time:

The best time to plant cassava is during the dry season, from October to April. Avoid planting during heavy rains to prevent root rot.

Irrigation:

Cassava requires adequate moisture, especially during the early stages of growth. Use drip irrigation or rainwater harvesting techniques to maintain soil moisture.

Fertilization:

Apply NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizers based on soil test results. Organic fertilizers can also be used to improve soil structure and nutrient content.

Weed Management:

Regularly weed the field to prevent competition for nutrients and water. Use mulch around plants to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

Disease and Pest Control:

Monitor plants for signs of diseases like cassava mosaic disease and pests like cassava mealybug. Implement integrated pest management strategies, including biological control and the use of appropriate pesticides.

Harvesting:

Cassava is ready for harvest 8-12 months after planting, depending on the variety. Harvest by digging around the plant to loosen the soil and then pulling out the tubers. Handle tubers carefully to avoid damage and post-harvest diseases.

Post-Harvest Handling and Storage:

After harvesting, cassava tubers can be processed into different products to keep long time storage and add value to the product. The products that can be produced from fresh cassava roots include cassava flour, cassava starch and cassava chips.

cassava products

Cassava flour is produced from fresh cassava by means of cleaning, washing, peeling, crushing, de-sanding, dewatering, drying and sieving. It can be used for food production like bread, noddles, biscuits, beer, etc.

Cassava starch is produced from raw cassava through cleaning, washing, cutting and raspering, fiber separation, starch concentration and purification, dehydration, drying and sieving. It is widely used in food and non-food industries and have huge market demand.

cassava starch production line

Cassava chips are normally for industrial use like further production of animal feed, ethanol, etc. People can simply clean cassava tubers and cut them into slices, then dry by sunlight or mechanical equipment.

Marketing and Utilization:

Explore various marketing channels to sell cassava products, such as fresh tubers, chips, flour, and starch.

Promote the use of cassava in different culinary applications to increase demand.

Cassava production in the Philippines offers significant opportunities for farmers to improve their livelihoods. By following this guide, farmers can optimize their cassava production, enhance yields, and contribute to the overall development of the agricultural sector in the country.

Henan Jinrui company is professional manufacturer and supplier of cassava processing equipment, with its own factory located in Henan Province of China. If you are interested in setting up a cassava processing factory, feel free to contact us to get more details about our equipment and investment budget.