How To Begin A Gainful Cassia Tora Farming Business In Nigeria: The Complete Guide:
Herbs are integral to our nutrition; they provide therapeutic benefits to our body. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that about 80% of the people living in developing countries rely almost entirely on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs. Cassia tora is one of the plants known to provide these medicinal benefits.
The growth of the global Cassia tora market is driven by the increasing demand for organic foods, food products that aid weight loss, and the growing health consciousness among consumers. The global Cassia market is expected to have a significant growth rate which is all thanks to the growth of the supplement market and the rapid rate of urbanization. It is expected that the global market will reach a $42.4 billion value by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.2%. America had the largest global market share of Cassia Tora in 2017 and is predicted to raise the market value by $101 m with a 4.1% CAGR from 2017 up till 2023. Notwithstanding, India is the largest exporting country of Cassia tora. Other countries with major contributions to the cassia tora market are China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Germany, etc.
Nigeria has an abundance of agricultural produce that contributes widely to the economy of the nation. Over 100 agricultural products are grown in the country, including Cassia Tora.
The future of the global cassia seed extract market has a predicted positive growth, as health consciousness among consumers continues to rise.
What Is Cassia Tora?
Also known as Senna tora, Cassia tora is a dicot legume from the Caesalpinioideae family. It is a wild plant that grows as a weed in many places.
What Is Cassia Tora Farming?
Cassia tora farming refers to the act if growing cassia tora plants on a large-scale commercial basis. It involves growing, harvesting, packing and distributing the cassia tora plant yields to the different sectors where they are utilized.
Business Opportunities Associated With The Cassia Tora Farming Business In Nigeria And Across The World
1). Food And Beverage Production:
Cassia tora has been adapted into the food and beverage production industry. Although the seed is poisonous, it becomes edible when cooked and roasted properly. It is dried and ground into a powder, which can be cooked and eaten as a staple food or with rice as a side dish. In the beverage industry, it is often used as a substitute for coffee because of its taste and aroma. The leaves, when cooked, can be eaten as a vegetable, and in Sri Lanka, the flowers from the tree are added to food.
2). Feed Production:
Because it grows like a weed, Cassia tora is also used as feed for animals. However, because of the presence of a trypsin inhibitor, it is harmful to chickens but when cooked, it is a good source of protein for animals.
3). Health Care Services:
Different parts of the cassia tora plant, including the roots, leaves, and seeds, have been widely used in traditional Indian and South Asian medicines. In Korea, it is believed to have rejuvenating effects on the eyes. The seeds and leaves are also used in the treatment of skin diseases such as leprosy, ringworm, itching and psoriasis. Other medicinal benefits from the plant include balm for arthritis, snakebites, and swellings.
Facts And Benefits Of Cassia Tora
- Apart from its medicinal and herbal uses, it can also be used for dyeing.
- It serves as a cooling aid.
- It improves eyesight.
- Cassia tora aids digestion.
- It can be used to treat blurred vision and red eyes.
- It is used by some as a laxative to treat constipation.
- It has also been claimed as a suitable means to reduce blood pressure and high cholesterol.
- Cassia tora is a hermaphrodite plant specie.
India, China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Germany are some of the major stakeholders in the cassia tora market. - Cassia leaves are used to produce balms for treating arthritis.
Types Of Cassia Tora
There have been various debates about the classification of Cassia Tora. Some reports claim that Cassia obtusifolia and Cassia tora are separate species while others recognize them as the same specie. It is also believed that Cassia Tora evolved from the Obtusifolia specie and that Cassia obtusifolia is another name for Cassia Tora. Further study on the evolution of both species has provided little or no clear differences between the two species.
How To Start A Lucrative Cassia Tora Farming Business: A Step-By-Step Guide
1). Seed Preparation:
To make the seeds ready to plant, denude them and pre-soak for about 24 hours in warm water. This is to make the seeds soft enough for germination to occur. After soaking, plant in a small commercial pot. It takes about 2 to 12 weeks to germinate, after which they are ready to be transplanted.
2). Land Preparation:
The cassia plant grows in any favourable well-drained soils with a neutral pH but is very selective of weather conditions. They grow best within early spring and summer. Although Cassia Tora is a wild plant that grows mostly as a weed, it can be cultivated. Cassia Tora grows up to 3ft annually at any time of the year, but usually, the time when the soil is moist. The suitable soil for cultivating Cassia tora is light (sandy), medium (loamy), heavy (clay), and neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. They adapt to most soil types with neutral pH. Still, plant growth can be affected by low soil phosphorus and potassium. Low soil potassium concentrations can result in the stunted growth of the tree. It grows in places that have a lot of rainfall. It can grow under little or no shade. It grows mostly in moist soil.
3). Transplanting The Young Cassia Tree:
After sprouting, the young cassia tora tree is ready for transplanting. Dig a hole large enough to take the plant. Add compost manure, fertilizers and peat moss to the soil before planting.
4). Watering:
The Cassia tora plant requires sufficient water to grow properly. It is advisable to get in place a trough to collect water or put another irrigation system in place. This is to help the plant establish its roots deep into the soil.
5). Stalking:
A Cassia tora plant can grow as high as 20 to 30 ft. upon full growth. It is important to stalk them, at least for the first 5 to 7 years of plating
Challenges Of Starting A Cassia Tora Farming Business In Nigeria
- Planting Cassia tora is labour-intensive
- Growth is dependent on weather changes.
- Difficulty in getting quality seeds.
- The Cassia tora plant could be poisonous to animals.
- Cassia plants are expensive to grow.
- It takes lots of time to grow.
- Lack of government support for Cassia tora farmers.
- Difficulty in exporting the Cassia tora leaves and seeds to the international market.
To Sum It Up
Cassia tora farming is a lucrative business for anyone who chooses to venture into the agricultural sector in Nigeria. The Cassia tora farming business in Nigeria can be a lucrative and profitable venture to start-up, due to its vast market demand and on your ability to build a wide network. If you’re looking for a lucrative business to venture into, the Cassia tora farming business in Nigeria is a great option to explore.
