Cassava grows very well in most parts of West Africa like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Benin Republic, and Cameroon. The Brazilians are also know for cassava farming which they use for Tapioca production. its botanical name is manihot esculenta
The crop is increasingly attracting attention of serious business people. And processing businesses are slowly starting to spring-up all over the country. You also know how useful cassava is to Nigerians in general in terms of consumption. Cassava forms the major part of our daily food. Almost no family can survive a whole year without cassava related food.
Cassava can be processed into a number of products such as starch, flour, chips, ethanol and glucose syrup, and bread to name a few. These products are all in high demand locally and also have significant export possibilities. These therefore, place a lot of raw cash in the hands of anyone who goes into cassava farming right now.
As a smart person, you should be thinking about how to take advantage of the government support for agriculture and the increased budget to create wealth for yourself. This is because cassava production surely provides opportunity for investors.
Now here are major things you will need to start a cassava farm.
1. Site For Your Cassava Farming
For Cassava plantation, it is important to choose an accessible well-drained fertile soil. You can take sample of the soil where you want to start your cassava farming to the IITA to help determine whether the soil is suitable for high yield cassava variety.
While most forest lands within the South West are known to be very fertile for cassava farming, it is important to further verify in other to be sure of your investment.
2. Decide On Cassava Varieties
For good cassava production, the following varieties are recommended for their high yield and processing quality: TMS 30572, NR 8082, NR8083, TMS 4(2) 1425, TMS 81/00110, TMS 92/0326. An additional 10 varieties are in the process of being released.
3. Land Preparation And Planting
A total herbicide – Round up (a glyphosate) should be applied to the land where you want to plant your cassava at the rate of 4–5 l/ha 10 days before land preparation. For cost effectiveness and optimum plant population of your cassava , mechanization and planting on ridges are recommended.
Liming
It is recommended that 5 (50 kg) bags of agricultural lime be applied /ha during land preparation.
Planting and planting material
*1. Cassava Planting starts in April and can be extended to October.
The quantity of cassava recommended for 1 ha is 60 bundles of cassava stem.
Cassava Stem cuttings 25 cm long should be planted at a spacing of 1 m x 1 m.
Maintain 100% cassava planting rate by replacing dead or nonviable stems.
Post-planting weed control*
Where a total herbicide was not used before land preparation for cassava plantation, it is recommended that a selective pre-emergence herbicide be applied within three days after planting. Five liters of Primextra is recommended /ha.
• NPK 15:15:15–12 (50 kg) bags
• NPK 20:10:10–9 (50 kg) bags
• NPK 12:12:17–15 (50 kg) bags
Apply fertilizer at 8 weeks after planting your cassava. Apply fertilizer in a ring, 6 cm wide and 10 cm from the plant or broadcast with care around the cassava plant, making sure the fertilizer does not touch the cassava stem or leaves.
Yield
Cassava Yield of 25 t/ha and above can be obtained with good agronomic practices and management.
Therefore, every step must be taken seriously in the process of planting your cassava.
Note
To reduce cost of production and attain high yields, it is recommended that land preparation be fully
mechanized. A power tiller can be used if the total land area under cultivation is not more than 250ha
CASSAVA FARMING AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTORS
Why is cassava farming an opportunity for investors? For ages, agriculture has been the only way and means of feeding over 6.5 billion people all over the world. Before the emergence of commercial banking, the peasant farmers have been working on different crops and plantations in order to feed themselves and the nations.
Cash crop are crops which are grown for profits and are otherwise referred to as season crops. They can be planted and be harvested within 3 to 7 months. Cassava crop is one of it.
The West African countries try to boost their economy with cassava plantation. Though originated from south America but later adopted into Nigeria farming system during the slave trade around sixteenth to seventeenth century is gaining more grounds as a common food in most homes. Cassava has helped in contributing to the Nigeria’s Operations feed the Nation campaign since its declaration by the Government.
The present administration has really endorsed cassava agriculture as the major source great boost to the economy. Tapping into the cassava farming business will make you be where you wish to be in the five years, considering the large space of virgin land available for cash crop farming.
Why Should You Start Cassava Farming?
There are numerous reasons why you can tap into this opportunity in the cassava plantation either as a Nigeria or non-Nigerian farmer. The opportunity is opened to anybody who is willing to invest and launch into feeding several African Nations. It doesn’t take much to start it. All you need is determination and some start up capital, this will allow you to properly make your way in the business.
Tapping into the Nigerian Cassava farming business will make you get access to funds and fertilizers from the government and also get endorsement/aid from foreign organizations. Every governments today are interested in agriculture and they are ready to lend a helping hand to everyone willing to go into partnership with the laid down policies in favour of agricultural related businesses.
Cassava Farming Is A Serious Farming Business
Once you are set and determined to start planting cassava, the next thing is to unleash a large scale of farm land that will be enough to explore your target plantation. Every plantation needs basic planting technology and tactics. You must always remember to subscribe to different associations and government parastatals which will definitely have no bounds in helping you grow your farming business.
Acquiring a large scale land (starting with 10 hectares) will be a big start. You will need labourers to help you with the farm work and weed aftermath. Most farmers involve their family and friends to help them in the process of running the farm. This will help them reduce expenses meant to be spend between plantation and harvest period.
Agriculture As Big Challenge In West Africa Countries.
Most west African countries have enough land mass which are good for farming and producing food for their population, but they diverted their attention to infrastructure, technology, money market, and lately, petroleum products, which can only be seen and enjoyed within a specified period of time. With a land area of 5,112,903 km2 and over 300,000,000 population, and about 17 countries in ECOWAS, I believe that cassava farming investment cannot be a waste of time.
It cannot however be overemphasized the amount of people you will be feeding across Africa, if you decide to venture into the business. And the profit is 100% because; you are not using money to purchase another cassava stick to replant. You can only buy cassava stick once, and have a good leverage in your next plantation.
However, in a situation where most government in West Africa have refused to pay at least 20% attention to farming in their various countries, the business is opened for individuals and private organizations who are ready to invest in it on full time basis. All I can say is; you can never regret investing in cassava business in a country like Nigeria and other highly populated countries in western Africa.
This is one of the business you can access very quickly and easily to, why not take advantage now and free style to the bank. Take the bold step today.
