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Dasheen was not traditionally treated as a potential export crop. Jamaica, St. Vincent and
Dominica have been exploring the European and American markets and have found them to have much potential. Dasheen can yield between 17,000 and 24,000 pounds per acre under optimum conditions. Market price for
dasheen averages about 50 cents per pound.
Economic Considerations
 Availability of markets
Regularity of supplies to satisfy exporters
Time of planting to meet the demands
Availability of good quality of planting materials
Inputs such as fertilizer, weedicide, fungicide and insecticide
The cost of production which varies between $4084.00 to $6824.89
Productive Process
 Site Selection
: Ensure sufficient sunlight, availability of water, soils with adequate
organic matter and good tilth.
 Land Preparation: The soil should be ploughed or forked up to about 1’ deep. Holes
should be approximately 1’ deep and 11" in diameter.
 Planting Distance: 2.5’ by 3’, holding 6,000 to 10,000 plants per acre.
Planting Distance: 6,000 to 10,000 plants per acre.
Selection of Planting Material
: Lateral suckers with a basal diameter of about 2.4" is
excellent. The planting material should be harvested from healthy plants, cleaned and
dipped into a solution of sodium hypochloride at the rate of 1-gallon water to 6 teaspoons of
bleach.
Fertilizer Application: NPK at the rate of 2 oz. Per plant 2 weeks after planting and 2.5
months after the 1st application.
Weed Control: A pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides or gramoxone with a shield
could be used. NB: Be careful, Gramoxone kills everything.
 Pest and Disease Control
: Crop rotation, good drainage, and integrated pest management
for slugs, aphids and leafspots.
 Harvesting: The crop matures in 7 – 10 months. Sink the fork deep around the
underground stem without damaging the corm. Lean the fork backwards, then shake and pull
corm gently.
 Post Harvest Handling: Wash corms. Cut the tail piece leaving about 0.5" on the corm. Cut
the stock end of the corm. Dip the corm for 2 – 3 seconds into a solution of Ridomil mbc
60 WP at the rate of 14gms to 6 gallons of water. Allow corm to air dry in a cool dry place.
Use a rigid crate to store and transport produce.
PROSPECTS FOR DASHEEN PRODUCTION
The potential of this crop has been recognized. Activities for the development of the crop are presently being carried out.
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