CASSAVANEWS to follow up Bharatbook.com added a new report on "Future of starches in China" which gives Competitiveness of Chinese starch and fermentation products in domestic and export markets, and impact of raw material supply on starch industry.
Future of starches in China
China’s output of starch, including native and modified starch, is the second largest in the world. Major varieties of native starch include corn starch, potato starch, cassava starch and wheat starch, while that of modified starch include corn modified starch, potato modified starch and cassava modified starch. China’s starch output has kept growing rapidly with CAGR of about 17.00% since 2001, which reached 17.10 million tonnes in 2008. It is predicted that China’s starch output will increase stably to 25.47 million tonnes in 2020. What is the position of Chinese starch industry in the world? Why do Chinese starch industry develop so fast? Which products will witness promising prospect in the future? ( http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=127263&rt=Future-of-starches-in-China.html )
China is the second largest native starch consumption country in the world, with total consumption value of USD6.10 billion in 2008, of which USD700.00 million was contributed by modified starch consumption. With various characteristics and functions, modified starch is widely applied in industries such as papermaking, food processing and textile in China. As for price, China’s starch price is mainly influenced by raw material price, supply & demand situation and technology innovation. How are such factors affecting China’s starch industry? You will find answers in the report. Raw material cost constitutes the major proportion in starch manufacturing cost. In China, production cost of cassava starch is lower than that of corn starch, with USD333.16/t and respectively. However, native cassava starch only accounts for 3.13% share in domestic native starch market. In the USD340.34/t for corn starch, the cost of corn was USD308.01/t, accounting for 90.56% of the total cost, what cause this situation?
In recent two years, Chinese starch supply has surpassed domestic demand. As for international trade, export of native starch is increasing, while import is decreasing. But the situation is different for modified starches. Which kinds of native starch and modified starch have sufficient supply and which kinds are in demand? Starch production technology mainly includes dry method and wet method, and wet method is widely adopted in recent years. However, it causes serious pollution like large volume of waste water. Has any technology innovation achieved in recent years?
What’s covered in this report
- An overview for current market of corn starch, cassava starch, potato starch and wheat starch, as well as starch derivatives in China, with focus on statistics of capacity, output, import & export, supply & demand, major manufactures, future trend, etc.
- Outlook for starch raw material supply & demand
- Balance in starch industry, from raw materials to end use markets/products
- Competitiveness of Chinese starch and fermentation products in domestic and export markets, and impact of raw material supply on starch industry
- Foreign investment in China’s starch industry
- Future development trend of China’s starch industry
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Dec 6, 2009
Nov 22, 2009
Cassava News 77
Danforth Center gets $2.5M for cassava research
CASSAVANEWS. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center was recently awarded a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a virus-resistant cassava.
Yearly harvests of the starchy shrub in East Africa have been hurt by infections spread by whiteflies and by cuttings, how cassava is commonly propagated by farmers.
The crop is the primary source of calories for more than 250 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa because it can grow in low-nutrient soils and withstand droughts that kill other plants.
Each year, cassava farmers lose at least 30 percent of their crop to cassava mosaic disease alone, and the cassava brown streak disease can be responsible for a complete loss of the harvest. In the Lake Victoria area, more than 7 million people are at risk of famine because of plant disease threats, according to the Danforth Center.
Danforth researchers have teamed up with partners in Kenya and Uganda on a project called Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa, or VIRCA.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute in Creve Coeur that focuses on human health and agricultural production.
Source: Bizjournals.com to follow St. Louis Business Journal
CASSAVANEWS. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center was recently awarded a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a virus-resistant cassava.
Yearly harvests of the starchy shrub in East Africa have been hurt by infections spread by whiteflies and by cuttings, how cassava is commonly propagated by farmers.
The crop is the primary source of calories for more than 250 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa because it can grow in low-nutrient soils and withstand droughts that kill other plants.
Each year, cassava farmers lose at least 30 percent of their crop to cassava mosaic disease alone, and the cassava brown streak disease can be responsible for a complete loss of the harvest. In the Lake Victoria area, more than 7 million people are at risk of famine because of plant disease threats, according to the Danforth Center.
Danforth researchers have teamed up with partners in Kenya and Uganda on a project called Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa, or VIRCA.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute in Creve Coeur that focuses on human health and agricultural production.
Source: Bizjournals.com to follow St. Louis Business Journal
Aug 16, 2009
Cassava: the number one industrial crop
Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Sunday | August 16, 2009
Errol G. Lindo, Contributor
IN READING your article on cassava I am forced to provide a few pointers on the direction in which the country should go. I will state here categorically that cassava must be the number one crop for agro industry in the areas of energy, industry, human and livestock consumption.
Cassava
Cassava could become our number one industrial crop because there are established industrial products, and as reports indicate, we are developing a number of additional products. Because of the productive potential of cassava we should not have a problem of producing beyond the sample stage. Cassava leaves are high in protein and are used as a green vegetable in some cultures. Experiments on the use of fresh cut cassava leaves and/or pellet for animal feed should be expanded. Ethanol production for transportation must come from cassava.
Wheat
This cereal can be grown in Jamaica. Research work done in the 1970s and 1980s has shown it to be viable. The crop was not given its rightful place because bread made from the locally grown varieties does not rise as much as with the imported grain.
Please let us be real here, this flour will make good dumpling and roti, and in view of the fact that imported wheat is been stretched by use of other ingredients, locally grown wheat can compete.
The lands required to be successful are sugar cane lands. Let us make the difficult decisions. If Israel can grow wheat in the desert using pressurised irrigation, then we should explore the possibility of using soaker hose technology in our production systems.
Soybean
Research has shown that this crop can be grown in Jamaica. The reason why it is not being grown is because the oil content of suitable varieties is lower than imported seeds. In view of the fact that soy milk and other soy products have over the years become increasingly important in our diet, soybean needs to be revisited so as to meet our demands.
Rice
Many attempts have been made with this crop which has seen success and failure. The country of Japan for a very long time would not allow the importation of cheaper rice so as to protect their local industry and protect the nation as a whole from starvation if its number one food staple is not available.
Jamaica, in its attempt to produce rice, has limited itself to production on marginal flood plane lands. It is high time that sugar cane lands be utilised in rice production. The present effort as reported is excellent in moving yields from five ton/hectare to seven ton/hectare. Ratooning is a brilliant idea. A rotation of rice (main crop and two ratoons) and a cool season planting of soybean should be explored.
Corn/Sorghum
These crops need to be moved from marginal lands and subsistence production to high-quality lands and pressurised irrigation.
Yam
For export produce, smaller tubers would lend themselves to longer shelf life because of less cutting. Producing smaller tubers may involve a combination of smaller head pieces, spacing and the use of irrigation to deliver split application of nutrients. Uniformity in tuber size and shape may also be managed by use of the European method of producing radish in a confined space.
Vegetables
Pressurised irrigation, namely, drip and or micro-sprinklers, are a must even in the hills. Varietal selection of callaloo (amaranths sp) from the different regions of the world, such as Nepal, must be carried out to determine which are most, suitable for planting at different times of the year. Non-traditional vegetable species, such as collard, kale, turnip greens, etc., are to be explored.
Fruits
Mangoes for export should be for the exotic market in mind. Therefore, grow orchards of Julie, Bombay, East Indian, and may be some common for the diaspora. Mango nectar and powder should become part of the value-added objective. Consider fruiting twice per year, which may involve stressing the trees to get the second crop. Use of container farming with brackish water is a possible area of expansion. Information on this technology, if not already residing in the country, can be had from the Volcani Center in Israel.
Pineapples
There is nothing like a good sugar loaf. Produce, produce, produce.
Pear/Peaches/American apple
If we have to have them, then produce your own. Again, get information from Volcani Center in Israel. Nitrogen gas in a cooling system may be use to provide required chilling temperatures.
Livestock
Apart from the problem of foot-and-mouth disease and two-legged rats, the major impediment to production is sufficient high-quality feed. Some of the crops outlined above, such as cassava, corn, sorghum and soybean, must be produced over and above that which is required for human and industrial use. There should never be competition between the different sectors and uses.
Spanish needle is a high-protein forage native to the country. Research should be implemented regarding pressurised irrigation, cutting regiment, split fertiliser application (liquid fertiliser) and varietal selection.
Fisheries
It is imperative that a fish preserving industry, namely, canning and salted dried, be developed. Fish strains such as salmon, crappie, brim, and carp should be investigated. I know some may be saying these are temperate species, to which my reply is, we are blowing off tons of nitrogen at the dry ice factory at Ferry. This nitrogen should be used as a cooling agent for the waters in which these new species would be grown in.
Fertiliser
As mentioned before, we are blowing off tons of nitrogen gas because there is no market for it. Put our chemist and engineers to work on producing ammoniac nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, and urea from this wasted product for use in fertilisers.
These are a few thoughts that I believe will put Jamaica on a firm footing to recovery. Many are not original but are worth repeating. Nor are these thoughts exhaustive, as there are much that can be said regarding ackee, breadfruit, fruit juices, developing farm machinery with low to zero soil compaction, and settlement of young farmersin Guyana to produce some of the inputs for our new valued agri-industry.
Errol G. Lindo is a former agriculturalist with the Ministry of Agriculture. Email: eglban@hotmail.com
Published: Sunday | August 16, 2009
Errol G. Lindo, Contributor
IN READING your article on cassava I am forced to provide a few pointers on the direction in which the country should go. I will state here categorically that cassava must be the number one crop for agro industry in the areas of energy, industry, human and livestock consumption.
Cassava
Cassava could become our number one industrial crop because there are established industrial products, and as reports indicate, we are developing a number of additional products. Because of the productive potential of cassava we should not have a problem of producing beyond the sample stage. Cassava leaves are high in protein and are used as a green vegetable in some cultures. Experiments on the use of fresh cut cassava leaves and/or pellet for animal feed should be expanded. Ethanol production for transportation must come from cassava.
Wheat
This cereal can be grown in Jamaica. Research work done in the 1970s and 1980s has shown it to be viable. The crop was not given its rightful place because bread made from the locally grown varieties does not rise as much as with the imported grain.
Please let us be real here, this flour will make good dumpling and roti, and in view of the fact that imported wheat is been stretched by use of other ingredients, locally grown wheat can compete.
The lands required to be successful are sugar cane lands. Let us make the difficult decisions. If Israel can grow wheat in the desert using pressurised irrigation, then we should explore the possibility of using soaker hose technology in our production systems.
Soybean
Research has shown that this crop can be grown in Jamaica. The reason why it is not being grown is because the oil content of suitable varieties is lower than imported seeds. In view of the fact that soy milk and other soy products have over the years become increasingly important in our diet, soybean needs to be revisited so as to meet our demands.
Rice
Many attempts have been made with this crop which has seen success and failure. The country of Japan for a very long time would not allow the importation of cheaper rice so as to protect their local industry and protect the nation as a whole from starvation if its number one food staple is not available.
Jamaica, in its attempt to produce rice, has limited itself to production on marginal flood plane lands. It is high time that sugar cane lands be utilised in rice production. The present effort as reported is excellent in moving yields from five ton/hectare to seven ton/hectare. Ratooning is a brilliant idea. A rotation of rice (main crop and two ratoons) and a cool season planting of soybean should be explored.
Corn/Sorghum
These crops need to be moved from marginal lands and subsistence production to high-quality lands and pressurised irrigation.
Yam
For export produce, smaller tubers would lend themselves to longer shelf life because of less cutting. Producing smaller tubers may involve a combination of smaller head pieces, spacing and the use of irrigation to deliver split application of nutrients. Uniformity in tuber size and shape may also be managed by use of the European method of producing radish in a confined space.
Vegetables
Pressurised irrigation, namely, drip and or micro-sprinklers, are a must even in the hills. Varietal selection of callaloo (amaranths sp) from the different regions of the world, such as Nepal, must be carried out to determine which are most, suitable for planting at different times of the year. Non-traditional vegetable species, such as collard, kale, turnip greens, etc., are to be explored.
Fruits
Mangoes for export should be for the exotic market in mind. Therefore, grow orchards of Julie, Bombay, East Indian, and may be some common for the diaspora. Mango nectar and powder should become part of the value-added objective. Consider fruiting twice per year, which may involve stressing the trees to get the second crop. Use of container farming with brackish water is a possible area of expansion. Information on this technology, if not already residing in the country, can be had from the Volcani Center in Israel.
Pineapples
There is nothing like a good sugar loaf. Produce, produce, produce.
Pear/Peaches/American apple
If we have to have them, then produce your own. Again, get information from Volcani Center in Israel. Nitrogen gas in a cooling system may be use to provide required chilling temperatures.
Livestock
Apart from the problem of foot-and-mouth disease and two-legged rats, the major impediment to production is sufficient high-quality feed. Some of the crops outlined above, such as cassava, corn, sorghum and soybean, must be produced over and above that which is required for human and industrial use. There should never be competition between the different sectors and uses.
Spanish needle is a high-protein forage native to the country. Research should be implemented regarding pressurised irrigation, cutting regiment, split fertiliser application (liquid fertiliser) and varietal selection.
Fisheries
It is imperative that a fish preserving industry, namely, canning and salted dried, be developed. Fish strains such as salmon, crappie, brim, and carp should be investigated. I know some may be saying these are temperate species, to which my reply is, we are blowing off tons of nitrogen at the dry ice factory at Ferry. This nitrogen should be used as a cooling agent for the waters in which these new species would be grown in.
Fertiliser
As mentioned before, we are blowing off tons of nitrogen gas because there is no market for it. Put our chemist and engineers to work on producing ammoniac nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, and urea from this wasted product for use in fertilisers.
These are a few thoughts that I believe will put Jamaica on a firm footing to recovery. Many are not original but are worth repeating. Nor are these thoughts exhaustive, as there are much that can be said regarding ackee, breadfruit, fruit juices, developing farm machinery with low to zero soil compaction, and settlement of young farmersin Guyana to produce some of the inputs for our new valued agri-industry.
Errol G. Lindo is a former agriculturalist with the Ministry of Agriculture. Email: eglban@hotmail.com
Jul 21, 2009
Cassava to be used for food security in Africa
Pokuase, July, 20, GNA - Cassava, a common staple food in Africa, has been identified as the foodstuff to provide food security for Africa, given the agricultural assets and opportunities prevailing on the continent.
This could be achieved by expanding and sustaining on-farm productivity and the profitability of cassava through a USAID funded project, dubbed, "Unleashing the Power of Cassava in response to the food price crisis (UPoCA).
Speaking to the Ghana News agency at the close of a five-day training of trainers programme, Mrs Angela Osei-Safoh, National Project Coordinator, said the country should not be a 'victim' of the food crisis but rather a provider of solutions to it.
The training, which is part of the Project being implemented in seven sub-Saharan African countries, is aimed at maximizing the use of cassava to address food price crises.
Thirty-one Post Harvest Officers, Agric extension Officers, Women in Agricultural Development, District Development Officers, processors and staff of Food Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from 13 implementing districts in Ashanti and Central regions participated in the training.
Participants were taken through cassava planning, harvesting, processing and packaging.
The two-year project is being implemented in Ghana, Nigeria, DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Tanzania with technical support from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Mrs Osei-Sarfoh explained that cassava was chosen because in Africa, it provided a basic daily source of dietary energy. The roots are processed into a wide variety of products such as starch, chips, gari and high quality flour among other consumables, or consumed freshly boiled or raw.
In most cassava-growing countries in Africa, the leaves are also consumed as a green vegetable, which provides protein and vitamins A and B.
"It is envisioned that through the project's interventions and activities, diverse stakeholder groups would take up the technologies for improved cassava production, crop management, product development and trade", she said.
She said the project sought to further increase cassava production in farmers' fields of 12 tonnes per hectare by 30 per cent and reach out to 75,500 beneficiaries across the country with more being women.
This, she said, could be achieved through the distribution of elite varieties and related inputs, dissemination of appropriate integrated crop management techniques to ensure at least 30 per cent increase in root yields and the promotion of entrepreneurship in cassava planting material supply.
Some of the benefits she outlined included rapid mass propagation of improved varieties, mop up seasonal surpluses and added value to the crop, promotion of farm gate processing to increase the shelf life of cassava and building the capacity of farmers in improved cassava production and farm gate processing techniques.
The National Project Coordinator noted that the project would help ensure adequate supply of cassava products at economically-affordable prices to participating districts by making readily available improved cassava varieties, production processes and farm gate processing.
She stressed that through the training and experimental learning, participating communities would increase their knowledge and skills whilst producer groups, and agro-processors especially women and youth be empowered to increase their livelihoods.
Mrs Busie Maziya-Dixon, Crop Utilization Specialists of IITA said as cassava was a carbohydrate, it could be fortified with soyabean, or cowpea to give the desired accompanying protein to serve the nutritional needs of the people.
She said the whole project could also create employment and encourage rural people to stay in the countryside instead of leaving for the cities in search of greener pastures.
"Feasibility studies show that under various economic conditions, profits could be made from producing livestock feed from cassava, as well as starch and ethanol made from cassava chips", she added.
Mr Brobbey Mensah, Ashanti Regional Development Officer of the Project sharing his experience with the GNA said cassava apart from gari and fufu, had over 40 benefits including its medicinal values that needed to be exploited.
He commended IITA for the initiative and urged Ghanaians not to waste cassava but turn it into good use.
GNA
This could be achieved by expanding and sustaining on-farm productivity and the profitability of cassava through a USAID funded project, dubbed, "Unleashing the Power of Cassava in response to the food price crisis (UPoCA).
Speaking to the Ghana News agency at the close of a five-day training of trainers programme, Mrs Angela Osei-Safoh, National Project Coordinator, said the country should not be a 'victim' of the food crisis but rather a provider of solutions to it.
The training, which is part of the Project being implemented in seven sub-Saharan African countries, is aimed at maximizing the use of cassava to address food price crises.
Thirty-one Post Harvest Officers, Agric extension Officers, Women in Agricultural Development, District Development Officers, processors and staff of Food Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from 13 implementing districts in Ashanti and Central regions participated in the training.
Participants were taken through cassava planning, harvesting, processing and packaging.
The two-year project is being implemented in Ghana, Nigeria, DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Tanzania with technical support from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Mrs Osei-Sarfoh explained that cassava was chosen because in Africa, it provided a basic daily source of dietary energy. The roots are processed into a wide variety of products such as starch, chips, gari and high quality flour among other consumables, or consumed freshly boiled or raw.
In most cassava-growing countries in Africa, the leaves are also consumed as a green vegetable, which provides protein and vitamins A and B.
"It is envisioned that through the project's interventions and activities, diverse stakeholder groups would take up the technologies for improved cassava production, crop management, product development and trade", she said.
She said the project sought to further increase cassava production in farmers' fields of 12 tonnes per hectare by 30 per cent and reach out to 75,500 beneficiaries across the country with more being women.
This, she said, could be achieved through the distribution of elite varieties and related inputs, dissemination of appropriate integrated crop management techniques to ensure at least 30 per cent increase in root yields and the promotion of entrepreneurship in cassava planting material supply.
Some of the benefits she outlined included rapid mass propagation of improved varieties, mop up seasonal surpluses and added value to the crop, promotion of farm gate processing to increase the shelf life of cassava and building the capacity of farmers in improved cassava production and farm gate processing techniques.
The National Project Coordinator noted that the project would help ensure adequate supply of cassava products at economically-affordable prices to participating districts by making readily available improved cassava varieties, production processes and farm gate processing.
She stressed that through the training and experimental learning, participating communities would increase their knowledge and skills whilst producer groups, and agro-processors especially women and youth be empowered to increase their livelihoods.
Mrs Busie Maziya-Dixon, Crop Utilization Specialists of IITA said as cassava was a carbohydrate, it could be fortified with soyabean, or cowpea to give the desired accompanying protein to serve the nutritional needs of the people.
She said the whole project could also create employment and encourage rural people to stay in the countryside instead of leaving for the cities in search of greener pastures.
"Feasibility studies show that under various economic conditions, profits could be made from producing livestock feed from cassava, as well as starch and ethanol made from cassava chips", she added.
Mr Brobbey Mensah, Ashanti Regional Development Officer of the Project sharing his experience with the GNA said cassava apart from gari and fufu, had over 40 benefits including its medicinal values that needed to be exploited.
He commended IITA for the initiative and urged Ghanaians not to waste cassava but turn it into good use.
GNA
Jun 30, 2009
Cassava disease hits Kibaale
Kibaale production staff inspect an infected cassava garden in Kagadi
CASSAVANEWS. to follow Ismael Kasooha on New Vision - Kampala,Uganda Sunday, 28th June, 2009 OVER 100 acres of cassava have been destroyed by disease in more than five sub-counties in Kibaale district.
Peter Sentayi, the officer in charge of disease control, said he suspected the disease to be brown streak disease, for which he had no immediate remedy.
When it occurs in a garden, it can damage over 95% of the crops, Sentayi explained.
“The disease covers the leaves of the plants and cuts off light so photosynthesis cannot take place. This leads to the drying of the cassava,” Sentayi added.
Inspecting affected gardens in Kibanga I Cell in Kagadi town council last week, Sentayi said the outbreak was the first of its kind in Kibaale district and was spreading fast.
Omuhereza Amulinda of Kibanga in Kagadi town council lost his entire five-acre cassava garden.
Amulinda said the disease had been spreading for five months but farmers had not recognised it, thinking that a change in weather had caused the blackening of the cassava leaves and stems.
Amulinda told The New Vision that when a cassava plant is attacked, the tubers cannot develop and eventually the entire crop dries up from the bottom upwards.
“The disease has left us in tears. Hunger is definitely looming because we had thought of having adequate food with the cassava we planted.”
Sentayi said the disease was spread by tiny white flies which move in large numbers and multiply rapidly.
He asked affected farmers not to weed their gardens to avoid spreading the disease further. He urged them to be patient as his office consults the National Agriculture Research Organisation for a remedy.
He asked farmers planning to plant cassava next season to search for disease-resistant species.
He said some improved cassava varieties had not been attacked by the disease. He called for the adoption of modern planting materials in order to ensure food security.
Sentayi appealed to farmers in areas where the disease has not been sited to be vigilant and report any signs to his office immediately.
The disease has affected Muhorro, Bwikara, Kyanaisoke, Mpeefu and Kagadi sub-counties, as well as Kagadi town council in Kibaale district.
Jun 27, 2009
Govt has to use up P280 million to hike cassava yield
GMaNews.TV 06/17/2009
MANILA, Philippines - The government needs to spend between P130 million and P280 million for its five-year program to increase cassava production and self-sufficiency by 2014.
This will help feed millers during tight corn supply and avoid emergency importations of corn and feed wheat, Agriculture assistant secretary Dennis B. Araullo said in a statement.
Hiking production of cassava by 440.21 percent to 10.48 million metric tons (MMT) in 2014 from 1.94 MMT in 2008 will need P26 million and P70 million every year until 2014 for its five-year program, which also calls for increasing areas planted to 500,000 hectares from the 230,000-hectare target this year.
The industry requires 10.48 million MMT by 2014 as cassava can replace as much as 20 percent of corn in feeds that is also used for bioethanol production and human consumption.
The hog and poultry sectors corner more than three-fourths of total domestic cassava consumption.
“The government has to address a slew of challenges that threatens this goal of cassava self-sufficiency, such as low productivity, limited supply of planting materials of new and high yielding varieties and limited supply of cassava dryers and other postharvest equipment," Araullo said.
The plan also involves the establishment of post-harvest equipment to increase the quality of produce in major cassava-producing regions like northern Mindanao, Bicol, Central Visayas, and Caraga.
The department has distributed high-yielding cassava varieties like NSIC Cv22 (KU-50), Lakan I and Golden Yellow in 53 hectares during the last crop year.
“Hence, this five-year cassava self-sufficiency plan that aims to raise the national yield average of nine MMT per hectare to 21 MMT per hectare by 2014," he added.
Local demand for cassava will likely increase to some 10 MMT in 2014 from 8.820 MMT in 2013; 7.448 MMT in 2012; 6.132 MMT in 2011; and 5.016 MMT next year, given a steady hike of demand for feeds to 8.294 MMT in 2014 from four MMT next year.
During the first quarter, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) said cassava was the biggest gainer in the crops subsector as it increased 5.08 percent to 405,000 MT followed by banana at 5.04 percent to 2.02 MMT.
In 2008, cassava production rose 3.64 percent to 1.941 MMT last year from 1.871 MMT in 2007 while areas planted inched up to 211,633 hectares last year from 209,633 hectares in 2007. - R.A.M.Rubio, GMANews.TV
MANILA, Philippines - The government needs to spend between P130 million and P280 million for its five-year program to increase cassava production and self-sufficiency by 2014.
This will help feed millers during tight corn supply and avoid emergency importations of corn and feed wheat, Agriculture assistant secretary Dennis B. Araullo said in a statement.
Hiking production of cassava by 440.21 percent to 10.48 million metric tons (MMT) in 2014 from 1.94 MMT in 2008 will need P26 million and P70 million every year until 2014 for its five-year program, which also calls for increasing areas planted to 500,000 hectares from the 230,000-hectare target this year.
The industry requires 10.48 million MMT by 2014 as cassava can replace as much as 20 percent of corn in feeds that is also used for bioethanol production and human consumption.
The hog and poultry sectors corner more than three-fourths of total domestic cassava consumption.
“The government has to address a slew of challenges that threatens this goal of cassava self-sufficiency, such as low productivity, limited supply of planting materials of new and high yielding varieties and limited supply of cassava dryers and other postharvest equipment," Araullo said.
The plan also involves the establishment of post-harvest equipment to increase the quality of produce in major cassava-producing regions like northern Mindanao, Bicol, Central Visayas, and Caraga.
The department has distributed high-yielding cassava varieties like NSIC Cv22 (KU-50), Lakan I and Golden Yellow in 53 hectares during the last crop year.
“Hence, this five-year cassava self-sufficiency plan that aims to raise the national yield average of nine MMT per hectare to 21 MMT per hectare by 2014," he added.
Local demand for cassava will likely increase to some 10 MMT in 2014 from 8.820 MMT in 2013; 7.448 MMT in 2012; 6.132 MMT in 2011; and 5.016 MMT next year, given a steady hike of demand for feeds to 8.294 MMT in 2014 from four MMT next year.
During the first quarter, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) said cassava was the biggest gainer in the crops subsector as it increased 5.08 percent to 405,000 MT followed by banana at 5.04 percent to 2.02 MMT.
In 2008, cassava production rose 3.64 percent to 1.941 MMT last year from 1.871 MMT in 2007 while areas planted inched up to 211,633 hectares last year from 209,633 hectares in 2007. - R.A.M.Rubio, GMANews.TV
Jun 20, 2009
Katine farmers harvest first cassava crop
guardian.co.uk by Richard M Kavuma. Jemorun is among the first of the 18 livelihood groups in Katine, Uganda, to harvest the new high-yielding, disease-resistant variety of cassava
A woman carrying cassava in Katine. Photograph: Dan Chung
In the midday heat, a dozen women, members of Ojemorun farmers group in Katine, sit peeling a heap of cassava tubers as men gather stems from the garden.
The tubers of this new variety are longer and bigger than those of the Nigeria strain, the most common type of cassava grown in Katine, but which is vulnerable to diseases like cassava brown streak.
Farmer groups in Katine have been harvesting this new high-yielding, disease-resistant variety of cassava, planted a year ago, given to them by the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref), which is implementing a three-year development project in the sub-county, funded by the Guardian and Barclays. It is receiving technical assistance on farming from Farm-Africa.
Ojemorun is among the first of Amref's 18 livelihood groups to harvest its cassava. After training in May last year, each group was given stem cuttings of the improved Akena and, later, 2961 varieties. Ojemorun was one of four pilot groups to test the enthusiasm for the new strain among farmers. Each group set up a demonstration garden to put into practice what they had learned in training, but also to share the cassava crop. Last month, it was time for the farmers to reap the rewards of their labour.
"Some members wanted us to sell the cassava and buy other things like goats for rearing, but the majority decided that we share the cassava and use it in our homes," explained Julius Opejo, 38, vice-chairman of the group. "There is famine here; people don't have food. A basin of cassava now costs UShs 10,000 [around $4.60], whereas earlier it cost between UShs 3,000 and 5,000."
The new disease-resistant strain of cassava. Photograph: Dan Chung
The group has already ploughed a fresh 0.4 hectare (1 acre) garden where they want to plant the stem cuttings from this harvest. Group chairman Julius Otim says if the new crop does well, then tubers can be given to other farmers who are not part of the 30-member group.
"That is how our neighbours in the village will also benefit," Otim said. "Now the planting material [tubers] would not be enough to give to other people. That is why we have to plant a new garden so as to multiply them."
Although Uganda's research scientists often come up with new varieties of crops to defeat emerging diseases and pests, the challenge lies in getting this information to farmers. The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), which seeks to inform farmers about new varieties and ideas, does not get enough money to reach everyone. Like the Katine project's livelihoods component, NAADS works through farmer groups, with one set of farmers having to wait for another before getting any new variety.
Replanting crops in Katine is a slow way to get the improved variety out to other farmers, but, according to David Ogwang, Amref's project assistant for livelihoods, there are no easy short cuts.
One farmers group, Ojwinyi, has decided to distribute the cuttings among themselves right away, instead of re-planting. "The disadvantage with this option is that each farmer only gets a few cuttings that can only be planted in a small area. But in the end we shall see the results and tell which method will have worked better."
So what lessons have the Ojemorun farmers learned from the demonstration exercise? For Anna Grace Anyeno, a mother of five, Akena is a good variety that she did not know about until Amref introduced it. She says it gives bigger tubers and, after only one year, it can be cooked and eaten from the garden.
"But this variety needs a lot of work," Anyeno says. "It needs a well-ploughed garden and you must plant it in spaced rows, whereas for Nigeria, we just plant in any field anyhow."
While she sees this as a disadvantage, in future she hopes to plant both Nigeria and Akena. Nigeria can be harvested, sun-dried and sold or milled into flour after eight months, while the new type will be popular with buyers who want to boil it for food or to make cassava chips.
A woman carrying cassava in Katine. Photograph: Dan Chung
In the midday heat, a dozen women, members of Ojemorun farmers group in Katine, sit peeling a heap of cassava tubers as men gather stems from the garden.
The tubers of this new variety are longer and bigger than those of the Nigeria strain, the most common type of cassava grown in Katine, but which is vulnerable to diseases like cassava brown streak.
Farmer groups in Katine have been harvesting this new high-yielding, disease-resistant variety of cassava, planted a year ago, given to them by the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref), which is implementing a three-year development project in the sub-county, funded by the Guardian and Barclays. It is receiving technical assistance on farming from Farm-Africa.
Ojemorun is among the first of Amref's 18 livelihood groups to harvest its cassava. After training in May last year, each group was given stem cuttings of the improved Akena and, later, 2961 varieties. Ojemorun was one of four pilot groups to test the enthusiasm for the new strain among farmers. Each group set up a demonstration garden to put into practice what they had learned in training, but also to share the cassava crop. Last month, it was time for the farmers to reap the rewards of their labour.
"Some members wanted us to sell the cassava and buy other things like goats for rearing, but the majority decided that we share the cassava and use it in our homes," explained Julius Opejo, 38, vice-chairman of the group. "There is famine here; people don't have food. A basin of cassava now costs UShs 10,000 [around $4.60], whereas earlier it cost between UShs 3,000 and 5,000."
The new disease-resistant strain of cassava. Photograph: Dan Chung
The group has already ploughed a fresh 0.4 hectare (1 acre) garden where they want to plant the stem cuttings from this harvest. Group chairman Julius Otim says if the new crop does well, then tubers can be given to other farmers who are not part of the 30-member group.
"That is how our neighbours in the village will also benefit," Otim said. "Now the planting material [tubers] would not be enough to give to other people. That is why we have to plant a new garden so as to multiply them."
Although Uganda's research scientists often come up with new varieties of crops to defeat emerging diseases and pests, the challenge lies in getting this information to farmers. The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), which seeks to inform farmers about new varieties and ideas, does not get enough money to reach everyone. Like the Katine project's livelihoods component, NAADS works through farmer groups, with one set of farmers having to wait for another before getting any new variety.
Replanting crops in Katine is a slow way to get the improved variety out to other farmers, but, according to David Ogwang, Amref's project assistant for livelihoods, there are no easy short cuts.
One farmers group, Ojwinyi, has decided to distribute the cuttings among themselves right away, instead of re-planting. "The disadvantage with this option is that each farmer only gets a few cuttings that can only be planted in a small area. But in the end we shall see the results and tell which method will have worked better."
So what lessons have the Ojemorun farmers learned from the demonstration exercise? For Anna Grace Anyeno, a mother of five, Akena is a good variety that she did not know about until Amref introduced it. She says it gives bigger tubers and, after only one year, it can be cooked and eaten from the garden.
"But this variety needs a lot of work," Anyeno says. "It needs a well-ploughed garden and you must plant it in spaced rows, whereas for Nigeria, we just plant in any field anyhow."
While she sees this as a disadvantage, in future she hopes to plant both Nigeria and Akena. Nigeria can be harvested, sun-dried and sold or milled into flour after eight months, while the new type will be popular with buyers who want to boil it for food or to make cassava chips.
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