Macabo cuttings:

Cutting macabo, also known as taro (Colocasia esculenta), is a crucial step in growing this root crop. To obtain optimum results, it is essential to understand certain key elements of the cutting procedure. The ideal macabo seed should have an average weight of around 150 grams. This equates to tubers measuring between 10 and 15 centimetres in length, which is considered the optimum size for vigorous growth.

For a standard planting density of one hectare, i.e. 10,000 macabo plants, an average of 1,500 kg of seed is required, equivalent to 15 bags of 100 kg each. Macabo is an annual crop, which means that it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. The optimum time for planting (sowing) is at the start of the rainy season, precisely between March and April.

This gives the plants the right amount of moisture for healthy development. Harvesting generally takes place between 8 and 11 months after sowing, i.e. between November and January. Macabo can be grown successfully in most regions of Cameroon. However, it should be noted that it is not suited to the North and Far North regions, where rainfall is insufficient to support its production cycle.

In short, taking macabo cuttings is a crucial stage in the successful cultivation of this root crop. The choice of seed, the cultivation calendar and geographical adaptability are essential factors to be taken into account if you are to obtain a successful macabo harvest.