This guide was based on the booklet developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to increase the technical knowledge of the public and enhance the integration of plant protection and plant production practices in farmers’ efforts to grow a healthy crop of cassava. The booklet was based on the extension and farmer training experience of the regional project "Ecologically Sustainable Cassava Plant Protection" (ESCaPP), 1993 – 1997.
According to the booklet, cassava is one of the most common food crops grown and consumed in many parts of Africa and even in Asia. The crop grows well in various soil types and ecologies. It can be planted alone or in association with many other crops, like maize, groundnuts, vegetables, and rice.
Growing cassava is not very labor intensive and usually requires 75–125 person-days per hectare from land preparation to harvesting. The storage roots can be harvested 9–18 months after planting. Under traditional farming practices, one can expect between 8 and 15 tons of storage roots per hectare of land planted only with cassava. Even under harsh environmental conditions cassava will provide some food when other crops fail. In most places there is a good market for cassava. The storage roots can be processed into various food products, and starch for domestic consumption, local, and/or export markets.
Cassava leaves are nutritious vegetables. The leaves and storage roots can also be used as animal feed. The stems can be sold as planting material. In order to grow a healthy crop of cassava the farmer will need to combine plant production and plant protection practices. These include site selection, soil improvement, variety and planting material selection, and planting and post-planting measures against weeds, pests, and diseases.
How to select a good site for planting cassava?
Cassava grows best in areas with deep and well-drained loamy soils, adequate rainfall, and warm and moist climatic conditions. The factors which can guide the farmer in determining if an area will be suitable for growing cassava include the following:
If a farmer does not select a good site for growing cassava they may have to spend a lot of time and materials to improve the soil. Cassava plants on good soils grow vigorously and are able to withstand some damage by pests and diseases. The following are examples of cultural practices farmers can use to improve soil properties:
The best cassava varieties are those that are liked by consumers, grow fast, give good yields, store well in the soil and are tolerant to major pests, and diseases. The particular variety chosen by a farmer depends on her/his objectives for planting the crop, and the factors looked for in selecting cassava varieties usually include the following:
The most common sources of cassava stem planting material are farmers’ own farms. Occasionally, cassava stem cuttings are sold at village and town markets. Researchers and extension agents sometimes provide their contact farmers with cassava stem cuttings. Many cassava pests and diseases are stem-borne and spread by distribution, sale, and planting of infested or diseased stem cuttings. By planting healthy stem cuttings, a farmer can greatly reduce the spread and damage caused by these cassava pests and diseases. The following guidelines will assist the farmer avoid unhealthy stem cuttings and to select healthy planting material for a healthy crop of cassava:
The important factors to consider when planting cassava are time of year, land tillage methods, seedbed type and preparation, and preparation, handling, and planting mode of stem cuttings.
According to the booklet, cassava is one of the most common food crops grown and consumed in many parts of Africa and even in Asia. The crop grows well in various soil types and ecologies. It can be planted alone or in association with many other crops, like maize, groundnuts, vegetables, and rice.
Growing cassava is not very labor intensive and usually requires 75–125 person-days per hectare from land preparation to harvesting. The storage roots can be harvested 9–18 months after planting. Under traditional farming practices, one can expect between 8 and 15 tons of storage roots per hectare of land planted only with cassava. Even under harsh environmental conditions cassava will provide some food when other crops fail. In most places there is a good market for cassava. The storage roots can be processed into various food products, and starch for domestic consumption, local, and/or export markets.
Cassava leaves are nutritious vegetables. The leaves and storage roots can also be used as animal feed. The stems can be sold as planting material. In order to grow a healthy crop of cassava the farmer will need to combine plant production and plant protection practices. These include site selection, soil improvement, variety and planting material selection, and planting and post-planting measures against weeds, pests, and diseases.
How to select a good site for planting cassava?
Cassava grows best in areas with deep and well-drained loamy soils, adequate rainfall, and warm and moist climatic conditions. The factors which can guide the farmer in determining if an area will be suitable for growing cassava include the following:
- An area with thick vegetation cover
- An area with good soil texture
- An area with fertile soil
- An area with flat or gently sloping land
- The history of the site
If a farmer does not select a good site for growing cassava they may have to spend a lot of time and materials to improve the soil. Cassava plants on good soils grow vigorously and are able to withstand some damage by pests and diseases. The following are examples of cultural practices farmers can use to improve soil properties:
- Manure the farm
- Prepare suitable seedbeds
- Mulch cassava seedbeds
- Plant cassava in association with other crops
The best cassava varieties are those that are liked by consumers, grow fast, give good yields, store well in the soil and are tolerant to major pests, and diseases. The particular variety chosen by a farmer depends on her/his objectives for planting the crop, and the factors looked for in selecting cassava varieties usually include the following:
- Varieties with high dry matter and good food quality
- Varieties with good mealiness or cooking ability
- Varieties that bulk early
- Varieties with good ground storability
- Varieties that are tolerant to weeds, pests, and diseases
The most common sources of cassava stem planting material are farmers’ own farms. Occasionally, cassava stem cuttings are sold at village and town markets. Researchers and extension agents sometimes provide their contact farmers with cassava stem cuttings. Many cassava pests and diseases are stem-borne and spread by distribution, sale, and planting of infested or diseased stem cuttings. By planting healthy stem cuttings, a farmer can greatly reduce the spread and damage caused by these cassava pests and diseases. The following guidelines will assist the farmer avoid unhealthy stem cuttings and to select healthy planting material for a healthy crop of cassava:
- Look for healthy cassava plants (i.e. robust stems, lush foliage)
- Avoid plants with pests and diseases
- cassava mealybug
- cassava green mite
- spiraling whitefly
- white scale insect
- cassava mosaic disease
- cassava bacterial blight
- cassava anthracnose disease
- cassava bud necrosis
The important factors to consider when planting cassava are time of year, land tillage methods, seedbed type and preparation, and preparation, handling, and planting mode of stem cuttings.
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Dropping by to catch up on my reading here and to greet yah a restful weekend ahead :) xoxo
At a quick glance that looked like cannabis fields :)
where can I buy some cuttings? please, email me info. thanks. Ellie
do you supplied cassava to small business please email me at bganohon@gmail.com
This article is a nice one, in fact never knew cassava crop is widely grown in the Philippines. Cassava products are highly consumed in my country Nigeria you can visit to some articles on cassava and other agro commoditiesNaijabizcom
Where can I buy online some seeds , sen info please...
jopedrolr@gmail.com
thanks
Cassava leaf is very difficult to find in the NW US. Will it grow in temperate climates? Anywhere in the US to buy seed/cuttings?
@João and JohnR, in most Asian countries, the seeds can be bought from the wet markets located in all local areas. However, if you cannot access these supply points, you may want to try online marketplace. Email me directly and I could direct to some of these online sites.
Cassava plant are very sturdy and can grow in some of the harsh climate given certain conditions. I believed it wont have any problems growing in NW US.