Pulpally: A bumper tapioca harvest in Plappally has gone viral on social media, after visuals of a giant tuber stunned viewers the other day. One of its edible roots weighed 16.5 kg, and the plant reached a height of more than 8 feet.

According to Karimamkunnel Jaimon, a native of Mullankolly near the area, his labourers were surprised during the tapioca harvest when they failed to find the end of a tuber even after digging extensively around the plant. They called Jaimon, who came to the field and examined the tuber, which had grown horizontally along the surface.

From a single plant, Jaimon harvested as much as 48 kg of tapioca, with one tuber alone weighing around 17 kg. When local media groups, including news channels, thronged his farm, Jaimon was visibly excited.

Speaking to Onmanorama, Jaimon said that although he is a regular tapioca farmer, this was the first time he had encountered such a huge root. “From a single cluster, we usually get up to 7 kg of tubers on average, with each about 2 feet long. But this is quite amazing,” he said.

Jaimon also pointed out that the loose soil, favourable climate, and quality planting material might have contributed to the unusually high yield.

The tapioca was of the Ambakkadan variety, which is known for its high yield, he added. It took two labourers several hours to dig out the massive cluster. Normally, tapioca tubers are ready for harvest within 8 to 12 months, but the Ambakkadan variety requires a longer period to reach maturity.

The labourers were also happy, as Jaimon shared a significant portion of the harvest with them.