Introduction
Tiger nuts also known as chufa, yellow nutsedge, or earth almonds are not actually nuts, but rather edible tubers. They’re the size of a chickpea but wrinkly with a chewy texture and sweet nutty flavor similar to coconut. Tiger nuts are a relatively low-carb food, meaning they’re great for people with diabetes who struggle to keep their blood sugar under control. They contain significant amounts of fiber, which slows down digestion and stabilizes blood sugar levels.(healthiersteps.com)
Uses
Tiger nut is a key ingredient in making:
- Oil
- Milk
- Flour
Production, export, import and consumption in Nigeria
Production =Unavailable, Import = 710,440 Export = Unavailable. (Source: WITF (World Bank)
Growing Tiger Nuts
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 a soil or apply water that is salty, they can’t stand it.
Sowing and harvest period
They grow very vigorous four to five months after planting (July- August). The nuts or tubers mature between three to four months.
Main Producing States in Nigeria.
- Kastina
- Nasarawa
- Taraba
- Kogi state.
Relevant Agencies in Nigeria.
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