Tapioca to fetch good returns with market prices doubling

COIMBATORE: Farmers are recommended to sell tapioca on harvesting, as the price will be in the range of Rs 12 to Rs 13 per kg till August.

An analysis carried out by Agro Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion Centre in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, revealed that price will be higher at the time of harvest as against the current price of Rs 10 to Rs 12 per kg of tapioca with 25 per cent starch content.

Haversting normally commences during June to August in Kolli Hlls and Pachamalai Hills in Tamil Nadu and farmers find tapioca as safe crop due to encouraging climate conditions. It fetches good returns with market price almost doubling this year after slump in production at some centres, it said.

Tapioca is cultivated in 2.06 lakh hectares with a total production of 7.24 million tonnes, and Tamil Nadu contributing 57 per cent from 1.57 lakh hectares, followed by Kerala with 33.6 per cent, the centre said. India exported tapioca worth Rs 49 million in 2012-13, with Saudi Arabia being the largest buyer with Rs 109 million, it said.