TAPIOCA FOR FOOD AND FUEL

   Studies are being conducted by various organisations in the renewable energy sector across the world to supplement bio-energy resources. Cassava, commonly known as tapioca, is gaining international attention as a crop having potential to produce ethanol, being blende3d with petroleum fuel in different countries including India.

    As Cassava is an important food crop in several countries, primarily catering to poorer sections of society, concerns have been raised over the diversion of the crop for fuel needs, which could threaten their food security. Bringing more land under cassava cultivation and development of varieties with high yield are among strategies being adopted in several countries. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has been supporting research on developing new varieties of cassava, targeted at large-scale production for ethanol. IFAD has extended support to various initiative in enhancing cassava production in countries such as Ghana, according to sources in the renewable energy sector

               Tapioca had been widely cultivated in Kerala but the area under cassava farming had declined in various places in recent years. though tapioca has found its way in to modern eateries, the farm produce remains low in commercial utilisation.In fact it has turned out to be one of the favourate dishes in star hotels.

        Employing new methods and utilizing high-yielding cassava varieties for taking up large-scale farming aimed at ethanol production may be able to boost the fortunes of cassava farmers in the state. Cassava, as the UN body has identified needs of large communities in different parts of the world.

      Kerala could be an ideal location for extending the scope of tapioca farming under the existing scenario, according to experts in the renewable energy sector.

Prof. John Kurakar