Nattu Maravalli Kizhangu (Vellai Bontha) – Tapioca
Vellai bontha is traditionally cultivated in Salem district. The duration of this crop is 8 months (August-March). 4500-5000 Cents are required for planting in one acre. Weeding should be done once in a month, so the yield could be increased. One plant can yield about 4-5 kg of tubers. In one acre we can get 10 tonnes of tubers. The market price for 1 kg of tapioca is Rs.5/-. Intercropping is possible in the period of first three months. Black gram and groundnut are cultivated as inter crops. Coconut tree is grown as a border crop. White fly incidence is more in this variety at the end of the harvest.
Special Feature

• It is mainly used for culinary purpose.

• The colour of the skin is pink and some times white in colour and nattu variety tubers have more flour content.