Current Status of Cassava in Maharashtra

Abstract

In Maharashtra cassava cultivation started near Baramati region in Pune district and the adjoining  districts of Satara and Sangli two and a half decades ago. Presently its cultivation is mainly concentrated  in the districts of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Beed, Latur, Sholapur and Satara in about 250 ha. Cassavaprocessing also started during the same period with the establishment of sago factories in these  regions. The high yielding cassava variety released from Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, H-226, is the only variety widely cultivated in this state. The crop is raised under heavy black cotton soilthat is alkaline (pH 8.23) in nature with medium organic C, low available N and high available P and  K. Amongst the micronutrients, Fe was observed to be deficient as reflected by the lime induced iron  chlorosis in some parts. The farmers did not follow scientific cultivation practices and other agrotechniqueslike irrigation. The crop is irrigated till harvest as in the case of sugarcane, which induced  more of shoot growth at the expense of tuber yield. The average tuber yield obtained was about 10-12 t ha-1 which could be enhanced to 50 t ha-1 with proper agro-techniques. The entire production was  being utilized for sago making with an average starch recovery of 15-17% only. Untimely planting in  view of rainfall pattern (rains received during June-October), improper method of planting, imbalanced  nutrient and water management and lack of sound knowledge on cultivation techniques were found  to be the main reasons for poor tuber yield of cassava in Maharashtra. In the industrial front, rawmaterial shortage, high power consumption, lack of policy support etc. were the major constraints.  The situation warrants the need for strong technological back up both in the cultivation as well utilization  along with suitable policy, so that cassava can have a great scope in the non-traditional state of  Maharashtra.