Davao City Importance of cassava

The Department of Agriculture Davao City urged the farmers to embark on cassava production as it is a profitable and up-to-the-minute business today.

According to Milo Gordo, in-charge of the Seed Pieces of Corn and Cassava unit of DA-Manambolan, pointed out that cassava can flexibly be used in many ways.

During his lecture on corn and cassava planting, Milo explained that cassava starch and pellets can be used as animal food, alcohol, mono glutamates, sweetener, medicine, glue, biodegradable products, plywood binder, paper, textile, and food for human consumption.

He said that five percent of cassava production is used as food, 20 percent as starch, and 75 percent as animal feeds.

Milo refuted superstitious belief of farmers that planting cassava makes the soil parched and dehydrated after harvest, discouraging some farmers not to plant cassava.

Milo said that cassavas sold in public markets are mainly used for food consumption which draws a huge demand for animal feeds.

He assured the farmer-participants to the lecture, that San Miguel Corporation guaranteed to limitlessly purchase cassava for P8.50 per kilo in granulated or pelletized form.

Moreover, Milo discussed that the methods of planting the cassava is a factor that every farmer should consider for it greatly affects production and growth.

According to the study conducted by PhilRoot Crops, land preparation for cassava can be through flat, ridge, and flat plus hilling up which have similar effects to cassava production.

Short stems – 25 centimeters – produces high yield compared to longer stem-cuttings at 34.8 root yield (ton per hectare).

The study also reported 47 registered cassava varieties released between 2002 and 2007.

Valeriano Marqueza, 60-year-old corn farmer in Davao del Norte, is one of the participants who received one kilo of hybrid corn during the lecture. He said that the lecture helped him realized a lot about cassava production.

Marqueza added that he will venture on cassava farming in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Adeser, a 48-year-old farmer from Asuncion said that he is very thankful of the free lecture on cassava production as he proudly held a liquid fertilizer he got as freebie during the event.