Cassava cultivation is an annual activity for many farmers in Ghana. This is basically because it is a major commodity, first in the diets of many farming families and secondly because of its resilience even in very bad weather conditions.
However, good cassava cultivation like many cropping ventures requires favorable conditions like enough rainfall, sunlight, nutrients, space, and other good management practices to have very good yields.
Good cassava cultivation
This guide provides the information that is required to start and ensure very good cassava cultivation.
1. Site selection
Cassava does well in areas with well-distributed rainfall relative to dry areas with low yields.
In site selection, preferably, you should have an idea about the history of the land. That is to say, recent cropping activities on the land. For example, if the land was used to crop root tubers like cassava, yam, potatoes (heavy nutrient consumers), etc. in the previous seasons, then that might have depleted a number of soil nutrients. Moreover, lands that have been used continuously over the seasons to grow non-leguminous crops should be improved for good cassava cultivation.
Read also: 10 Simple and Easy Soil Tests
The application of fertilizer can help to improve the soil.
Select lands with deep loamy soils. Clayey soils are not suitable for cassava cultivation. Loamy soil types have moderate water infiltration and retention abilities for cassava growth.
2. Land preparation
No-till under conservation agriculture comes to mind at this point. The practice of no-till will help reduce the effect of inadequate rainfall that may lead to crop failure.
During land preparation for cassava cultivation avoid;
a. Slashing and burning. You may, however, carry out this upon recommendation by the Agricultural Expert.
b. Ploughing (disturbing the soil)
Clear land by slashing and cutting trees into smaller pieces and allowing the vegetation residue to accumulate on the surface of the soil. Read more on the importance of this practice.
Read also: 5 need-to-knows about Conservation Agriculture (CA) and why you must get involved
3. Planting materials selection
The choice of a cassava variety depends on the preference of consumers, yield, resistance to pests and diseases, and the maturity period of the cassava.
Some of the recommended varieties in Ghana are bankyehemma, IFAD, Afisiafi Abasafitaa, Tekbankye, Eskamaye, Nkabom, etc.
Farmers mostly obtain materials from their own farms or other farms. Obtaining materials continuously from one source may lead to the build-up of diseases in the planting materials.
Select cassava planting materials from disease-free fields.
4. Planting material preparation
Use the mature parts of the cassava stick as planting material. Use a sharp cutlass to cut the stem into 20cm–25cm long pieces with 5-7 nodes.
5. Planting
In the forest zone, farmers plant between April and May, or in August, whiles, in the savanna areas they plant between May and June. However, you may consider your local farming calendar for appropriate planting times.
Plant cassava with the node’s growth direction upward and ensure it is well placed in the soil with about 2/3 of its length slanted below the soil. Plant at a distance of 1m x 1m.
6. Fertilizer application
Additionally, cassava requires an adequate supply of nutrients to ensure optimum yields. You can, however, ensure this by the application of fertilizer, preferably organic like farmyard manure. Apply poultry manure 250g per plant 4 weeks after planting.
Read also: Why is Organic Fertilizer better?
7. Weed control
Weeds can cause considerable loss of cassava if not well controlled. They compete with the cassava for sunlight, space, nutrients, and water.
You may control weeds by slashing or hoeing. You may also use suitable crops like cowpea as intercrop to suppress the growth of weeds. Some varieties of cassava that form canopy early are also effective in weed control.
8. Harvesting
Harvest cassava at maturity between 9-12 months after planting. Different varieties of cassava vary in maturity periods. Having an idea of when your choice of variety matures will ensure a timely harvest.
For maturity dates of various varieties refer to Improved Cassava Varieties in Ghana and Their Characteristics.
