CBN-V Video Archives - S1-20
Constraints and Future Strategies for Sustainable Productivity in Cassava

Ramaswamy N.M.

Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641 003, India.

        In India, the two major cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivation and production southern states are Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu four districts contribute to the total production. In these places, cassava cultivation is done mainly by small scale farmers on marginal lands. The production of tubers/roots is greatly affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. There is instability in marketing of starch and other products. Factors like non-availability of high yielding and high quality planting material, control of tuber rot and virus (ICMV) diseases, problems in marketing of starch and other products for profitable price, are the main constraints. Future research needs in varietal improvement and micropropagation for mass multiplication, requires collaborative programmes between the university research centres, private institutions and non-government organizations. Participatory approaches in production and processing, research, development, extension services, the effective role of SAGO SERVE (Marketing Centre), perspectives in priority setting -user, scientist, farmer, processor, consumer, use of waste waters from the starch and sago factories, use of cassava as a low-cost versatile raw material for agro- industrial development and biotechnology policy of the state government in cassava improvement and cassava cultivation for reliable food security, will be discussed.

Speaker's PowerPoint Presentation

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