Tapioca Starch is isolated from the tuberous roots of the manioc plant, which grows mainly in equatorial climates. Depending on the region of growth, plants may be known as mandioca, yucca, cassava or tapioca. Tapioca was introduced in India during the later part of the 18th Century . Today in India, tapioca is grown over an area of 3 lakhs hectares with a production capacity of over 60 lakhs tons of tubers. Though Kerala ranks first in cultivation and production in the Country, Tamilnadu stands first in respect of processing of tapioca into Starch and Sago ( Sabudana) and hence this crop has now acquired a status of the one of the important commercial crops of the State. The Tapioca Starch and Sago Industry is mainly concentrated in SALEM District of Tamilnadu. There are about 1000 Sago and Starch Industries in small scale sector scattered throughout the State of which about 800 units are located in and around Salem District.

Tapioca Starch is isolated from the tuberous roots of the manioc plant, which grows mainly in equatorial climates. Depending on the region of growth, plants may be known as mandioca, yucca, cassava or tapioca. Tapioca was introduced in India during the later part of the 18th Century . Today in India, tapioca is grown over an area of 3 lakhs hectares with a production capacity of over 60 lakhs tons of tubers. Though Kerala ranks first in cultivation and production in the Country, Tamilnadu stands first in respect of processing of tapioca into Starch and Sago ( Sabudana) and hence this crop has now acquired a status of the one of the important commercial crops of the State. The Tapioca Starch and Sago Industry is mainly concentrated in SALEM District of Tamilnadu. There are about 1000 Sago and Starch Industries in small scale sector scattered throughout the State of which about 800 units are located in and around Salem District.