Cassava Growing Information Guide

Cassava (yuca) is a starchy tuberous root of tropical perennial trees and used as food in tropical countries. The cassava plant is native to South America. The cassava crop was grown as alternative to rice, potato or corn (maize) in olden days. Nigeria in Africa is top production country of cassava in the world and Thailand is top producer of cassava in Asia. Cassava is an excellent commercial crop from which, food items, glucose, solvents, alcohol, animal feed, fertilizers, energy and others are produced.

 The cassava tubers and leaves are the essential parts of cassava being used. Usually, cassava root is about one mm thick and brown colour on the outside. Generally, commercial cultivars are large in diameter and length. Cassava root flesh can be in yellow or white. Cassava is good source of starch and calcium, phosphorus, vitamin 'C'. One can achieve desired profits in commercial farming of cassava with good cultivar and proper farm management practices.

Generally, cassava crop is long term crop which may take 6 months to more than 2 years depending requirement stage. As cassava has lots of commercial uses, one can zero on the commercial farming of cassava. Let us discuss more in next paragraphs about cassava farming from planting to harvesting including health benefits of cassava.   Read more about cassava cultivation here.                

Apple Growing Information Guide

Well, apple is one of most commercially grown table and temperate fruit crop in the world after banana, orange and grapes. China tops the apple fruit production in the world. Apple has excellent health benefits, hence it is recommended for daily consumption. Apples were originated in Europe and Western Asia and spread across the world. Seed grown apple trees are large in size when compared to rootstock (grafted onto roots). Apple tree belongs to the family of "Rosaceae" and genus of "Malus". There are more than 8000 varieties/cultivars of apple all over the world. The apple is a deciduous tree which can grow up to 15 to 16 feet tall. The wild apple trees can reach up to 40 feet. However, the size and shape of the apple tree are determined by rootstock selection and trimming (Pruning) method. Soil, climate and orchard management practices are common factors that influence the commercial farming of apple fruit. Apples can eaten raw or used as an important ingredient in many desserts like apple pie, apple crumble, apple crisp and apple cake apart from using in beverages (ciders and juices). Read more about apple orchard here.

Cauliflower Growing Information Guide

Cauliflower is one of the most daily consumed important vegetables of commercial crops in the world. Basically cauliflower is grown with seeds and belongs to the family of " Brassicaceae". The white part of flower is used for culinary purpose. The stalk and surrounding thick, green leaves are used in vegetable broth or can be fed as fodder for livestock. Scientific name of Cauliflower is "Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L." and its family name is "Brassicaceae (Cruciferae). Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable and belongs to the same family as broccoli, kale, cabbage and collards vegetables. Surrounding the curd are ribbed, coarse green leaves that protect it from sunlight, impeding the development of chlorophyll. The cauliflower flowers are attached to a central stalk. Cauliflower is one of the famous vegetables consumed daily across the world. Read more here.

Tilapia Fish Farming Guide

Tilapia Fish Guide: 

 Fish is one of the species that is being farmed since centuries. Due to natural resources, fish became the best and cheapest animal protein consumed worldwide. Tilapia are mainly freshwater fish inhabiting shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes However, due to over exploitation and pollution, the availability of fish in natural waters has declined considerably and this made to think of alternate methods of growing fish. Due to increasing fish meat consumption and growing demand day by day, artificial or controlled environments gaining popularity for fish production. Fish farmers can choose ponds, tanks or any new water body to take up the fish culture. This can improve the financial position of a farmer and create local employment for skilled as well as non-skilled people. Commercial Tilapia fish farming is becoming popular day by day as demand growing for this fish in Asia. Basically, Tilapia is the second most farmed fish in world. In countries like China, Egypt, Philippines, Brazil, Thailand and Bangladesh Tilapia fish contributed substantially to the Food Security.  Read more here.

Drip Irrigation System Information

Drip Irrigation Guide:

Drip irrigation is a form of irrigation that saves water and makes use of manure / fertilizer efficiently by allowing water to draw slowly to the roots of plants / trees, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root area of plant. The drip irrigation works through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the plant / tree. Drip irrigation system may also use devices called "micro-spray heads”. This device sprays water in a small area of field instead of dripping the water from emitters. Generally, this type of spray heads is used on tree and vine crops with wider root zones.

In case of little water availably or recycled water utilization, sub-surface drip irrigation (SDI) uses permanently or temporarily buried dripper line or drip tape located at or below the plant roots. In order to find out suitable drip irrigation system to be installed, One should consider factors like land topography, soil, water, crop and agro-climatic conditions. Drip system can be used in most of the farming methods like commercial greenhouse farming, residential gardens, polyhouse farming, shade net farming, hydroponics and open field farming. Drip irrigation will be more beneficial when compared to sprinkler irrigation system. Drip and subsurface drip irrigation is used when using waste water. Generally, large drip irrigation system consists of some kind of filters to prevent clogging of the small emitter flow path by small water borne particles. Now days, once can get drip systems which minimize the clogging.  Read more here.

Guava Growing Information Guide

Guava Growing  Guide:

Guava fruit is one of the famous tropical fruits grown across Asian countries as well as other parts of world and known as the apple of the tropics. Guava fruits are quite popular in India and south East Asia. It is said to be this fruit is native to Mexico, Central America and South America. Commercial cultivation of Guava is very much successful due to low maintenance and high yields. Guava Plants are hardy and produce good yield even with little care. The Guava plants can be grown under rainfed as well irrigated conditions in both tropical and subtropical regions. Guava fruits are grown for their excellent health benefits. Guava fruits can be consumed as raw (fresh fruits) and used in beverages, candies, ice creams, dried snacks, fruit bars and desserts. There are many improved/hybrid/commercial varieties available to specific region.  Guava belongs to the family of “Myrtaceae” and genus of “Psidium”. When it comes to guava size, they range from as small as an apricot to as large as a grapefruit. Guava fruit varieties (cultivars) feature white, red, pink flesh. Commercial growers generally select cuttings/grafting for propagation as seed propagation is very slow and time consuming for getting the crop. Read more here.

Pumpkin Farming Informatio Guide

Pumpkin is very famous and is one of the most important cucurbitaceous vegetable crops grown across the globe. Technically pumpkin is a fruit and used in culinary items. The ripe pumpkins are used for culinary (cooking) purpose. Pumpkins grown in summer and rainy season have great demand in the market. Pumpkins may be grown in different shapes and sizes. Pumpkins are like other squash and these vegetable are native to North America and famous for thanks giving celebrations. Pumpkins are widely grown for commercial use for using both in food and recreation. Pumpkin and its seeds possess excellent health benefits. They are great source of calcium and phosphorus. When it comes to plant description, pumpkins have larger leaves and sprawling vines with coiled, modified leaves called tendrils and almost square woody stem as opposed to the rounded, less tough stem of winter squash. These vegetables have important feeder roots near the soil surface and usually roots grow to about the length as vines which are called lateral roots. Pumpkin roots may reach up to 1.6 meter deep in the soil. Pumpkins belong to the family of "Cucurbitaceae" and genus of "Cucurbita". Pumpkins are called “Curcubita pepo” and “Cucurbita maxima” scientifically. When it comes to commercial production of pumpkins, it’s very important to procure quality seeds as seeds extracted from the vegetable crops are used for further sowing. Ream more about pumpkin growing here.