At the time of harvest, digging can be done manually by pulling or using a hoe .  This is labourious and time-consuming.  It is also difficult.  Efforts have been made to develop a digger to be attached to large tractors to pull the tapica roots up.  Developments have taken place for twenty years.  Some weaknesses were found, as follows :
        1) Mechanized harvesting cannot be continuous.  After digging, the roots need to be removed by manual labour, in order to avoid crushing by the tractor.
         2) The digger cannot operate properly when weed is extensive.  there is need to remove weed from it at times.
         3) It is difficult to control the direction and movement of the tractor.