Cinnamon tree grows well in the central region of the country. It is not an indigenous tree but originates from tropical Asia. The bark and the leaves of Cinnamomum are commonly used as spices in home kitchens and their distilled essential oils or synthetic analogy are used as flavouring agent in the food and beverage industry.

Growing cinnamon

Varieties
The varieties of cinnamon include the following:

Harvesting and processing
For the preparation of quills, the plants are harvested three years after planting when the shoots have grown 2 to 2.5cm in diameter and 1.5 to 2m in length.

If the bark separates readily, the cutting is taken immediately in the early morning with sharp knife to prevent breaking and splitting of cut ends.

The first harvest may yield 30 to 50kg quills per hectare, per year. Better harvests are expected after 10 years when 170 to 200kg of dried quills per hectare, per year is obtained.

Challenges
The challenges faced by the farmers include the following:

Uses of Cinnamon
Cinnamon has the following uses:

Selling Cinnamon
High quality grade Cinnamon receives a premium price in the market.
Cinnamon oils are separated by steam or hydro distillation.

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