Why in the News
- An experimental cultivation of cassava on three acres in Malsian village, Jalandhar, has yielded promising results, signalling Punjab’s push toward crop diversification and water saving alternatives to paddy.
- The initiative involved scientists from the ICAR Central Tuber Crops Research Institute and experts from Punjab Agricultural University.
What is Cassava?
- Scientific name: Manihot esculenta
- Native to South America
- Widely cultivated in Africa and South India
- Gluten free tuber crop
- High starch content
- India currently grows cassava mainly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Why Punjab is Exploring Cassava?
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Water Crisis
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- Cassava requires nearly one tenth the water used for paddy.
- Only first two months need irrigation.
- Highly drought tolerant.
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Climate Resilience
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- Tolerates dry conditions.
- Tubers can remain in soil after maturity without rotting.
- Suitable if sown in early March in Punjab conditions.
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Economic Returns
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- Yield reported: about 250 quintals per acre green weight.
- Estimated income: ₹2.5 to ₹2.6 lakh per acre.
- Compared to wheat plus paddy: about ₹90,000 per acre.
| [2025] Consider the following pairs:
Plant: Description I. Cassava: Woody shrub II. Ginger: Herb with pseudostem III. Malabar spinach: Herbaceous climber IV. Mint: Annual shrub V. Papaya: Woody shrub How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? (a) Only two (b) Only three (c) Only four (d) All the five |
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