Tiger Nut

                                INTRODUCTION

Cyperus esculentus (Ofio in Yoruba, aki Hausa, or Imumu in Igbo, Aya in Hausa) is a crop of the sedge family widespread across much of the world. 

Tiger nut can be found wild, as a weed, or as a crop. In Spain, it is cultivated for its edible tubers, called earth almonds or tiger nuts, for the preparation of horchatade chufa, a sweet, milk-like beverage. However, in most other countries, tiger nut is considered a weed.

It is both an annual and a perennial plant. It can grow up to 3ft (90cm) from tuber.

Tiger nut became popular when researchers found out that it has high nutritional values for human health. Tiger nut is very common in the Northern parts of Nigeria, because this is where it is mostly cultivated. (7)

CULTIVATION

• Use tractor to till the land if you are doing large scale farming like a hectare.
• This is a plant that the roots penetrate up to 30-60cm so it will be wise to make the tilling deep to allow for easy penetration of the roots.
• Tiger nuts plant can grow in any soil type but for good performance use a sandy moist soil rich in organic matter.
• Tiger nuts can survive adverse conditions such as drought, flooding, and heat.
• They require a soil PH of 5.0-7.0.
• Do not plant them in soil or apply water that is salty, they can’t stand it. Plant them manually 6-8cm into the soil and 15-29cm spacing between seeds.
• The planting period is during the raining season April-May.
• You can plant through seed (tubers) or through rhizomes. Rhizomes are the creeping part of the plant just by the root.
• Their leaves are slender and their stem triangular in nature.
• The leaves are 3-10mm; they appear in two colors; green and golden brown.
• Tubers start forming (developing) after 6 weeks -2 months after seedlings sprouting.
• They grow very vigorous 4-5 months after planting (July- August).
• The nuts or tubers mature between 3-4 months.
• A hectare will require 120kg of tubers for planting while an acre will need 49kg.
• The tubers grow up to trigger rhizomes, which in turn produce a basal bulb near the soil surface.
• The basal bulb triggers the stems and leaves above the ground and fibrous roots underground.
• Tiger nuts plants can be pollinated by wind.
• You can grow them in containers, mix an equal amount of soil and manure together, and fill the container plant them one seed per container.
• Keep them in a warm environment.
• Weeding and harvesting can be easily done here. (1)
• Tiger nut requires adequate water application, so if you are going into commercial production, make sure you have a good irrigation system in place for a constant supply of water.
• Tiger nuts are hardly affected by diseases but because of the presence of some stubborn weeds, it is encouraged that weeding should be done on a regular basis.
• Also, since it is a root crop, nitrogenous fertilizer or manure should be minimized after flowering.

HARVESTING

The tubers are ready for harvesting when the plants begin to die back; they are usually dug by hand or by running a small lifting plough under them. Groundnut harvesters are sometimes used. The entire plant is laid on the soil and allowed to dry for 1-3 days before the tubers are separated for storage in thin layers in sheds. Tubers for human consumption are washed in running water and then dried either in the sun or artificially, after which they are graded and stored. (2)

DRYING AND STORAGE

Drying takes a very long time up to 3 months and can only be done with the use of the sun or artificially. If you are going to sun dry, spread them in an open place where sun can touch them very well and keep turning them on a daily basis in other to achieve uniform drying.

Making them completely dried will also help in preventing rot or other bacterial infections. The period of drying makes them wrinkle, shrinks and hard but they can be revived by soaking them in water before use. (3)

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TIGER NUT

“A lot of people eat tiger nut without knowing its health benefits; it has essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron necessary for bones, tissues repair, muscles and the blood stream (4) Tiger nuts are known to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Its other health benefits include being a good source of Vitamins E and C. It is a good source of protein, cures erectile disfunction, controls diabetes, acts as a good remedy for indigestion as well as being rich in fiber. Tiger Nuts have several other health benefits. Its many uses mean it can be prepared or consumed in several ways. It can be consumed fresh or dried, grounded into powder form or any other way deemed fit for consumption. (5)

USES                          

It can be eaten raw as snack both dry or fresh. Tiger nut can be extracted as milk and can be used as an alternative to those who do not like dairy milk. Confectionary industries use them in baking, here the nuts are roasted. Most biscuits companies are now seriously including them in production because of the great taste produced. Oil extracted from tiger nuts can be used in soap making, can also be used as starch extract and as a flavoring agent in ice-cream (6)

If you go to supermarkets now, Tiger nuts are now being packaged in fancy packs and their milk in bottles, to show that people now drink and eat Tiger nut. You don’t have to look for Mallam’s with a wheelbarrow to buy your nut.

References

Culled: https://www.enibest.com.ng/all-posts/agriculture/tiger-nuts-farming-business/ (1) (3) (6)

Culled: http://www.nzdl.org/ (2)

Culled: http://thepointernewsonline.com/?p=26133 (4)

Culled: https://www.wealthresult.com/agriculture/start-lucrative-tiger-nuts-farming (5)

Culled: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperus_esculentus (7)