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Organic Cassava Farming, Cultivation Practices

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyLxmeZ9lQc

Duration:

00:10:51

Year of Production:

2022

Source/Author:

Agri Farming

»Cassava is usually grown in savannah climate but can also be grown in extreme rainfall. In most areas, cassava does not tolerate flooding. In dry areas, it loses its leaves to conserve moisture producing new leaves when rains restart. Cassava tolerates a wide range of soil ph values from 5.5 to 6.5 and is most productive in full sun conditions. Cassava is grown on low fertility sandy soils without any soil improvements.«

Cassava is a family member of euphorbiaceae. It is also called manihot, mandioca or yuca. At the organic crop farming, crop management starts by giving the plant the best growing conditions.

Improving soil fertility and by using healthy and suitable planting materials will make the entire crop grow healthier and thus produce more yields. In organic farming there is no use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and no genetically modified organisms. Cassava is usually grown in savannah climate but can also be grown in extreme rainfall areas but not in flooding areas. Cassava tolerates a wide range of soil ph values from 5.5 to 6.5. It is most productive in full sunny conditions grown on low fertility sandy soils without any soil improvements.

Climatic conditions

Cassava organically grows well between 30 degrees south to 30 degrees north in areas where annual rainfall is more than 750mm a year. Temperature is above 18 degrees and altitude of 1500-2000m

Cassava is propagated by cuttings because it is a root crop. Cassava needs well drained sandy loam soil and must be fed with compost to increase the organic matter and overall fertility. Cassava is propagated by planting pieces of stem since its roots can not be used to make new plants.

Planting time

If water is available either through well distributed rainfall or irrigation, the crop can be planted any time of the year. If possible, at the beginning of the warm season since growth slows in cold weather.

Use cuttings from healthy strong cassava plants between 8 to 18 months since younger materials tend to be soft and susceptible to dehydration. Apply manure or compost to supply the important nutrients that are lacking.

Fertilizer Application

Apply fertilizers either organic i.e manure or compost or inorganic i.e myriad or potash so as to supply nutrients that are lacking in the soil.

Pests and diseases like the mosaic disease, cassava leaf spot etc can be controlled by using disease free sticks when planting. When harvesting, use cassava stem to lift from the ground using hands. Pull the plant carefully and do not drag the roots.

Sequence from	Sequence to	Description
00:00	01:16	Cassava is a family member of Euphorbiaceae. It is also called manioc or yuca.
01:17	02:20	Cassava is usually grown in savannah climate but can also be grown in extreme rainfall but cannot tolerate flooding.
02:21	03:00	Cassava organically grows well between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south in areas where annual rainfall is more than 750mm a year.
03:01	04:03	Cassava is propagated by cuttings since its a root crop. It needs a well drained sandy clay loam soil fed with compost for organic matter increase.
04:04	04:40	The cuttings must always be kept in a dry cool place till planting time and know that the cuttings are only made when ready to plant.
04:41	05:20	If water is available either through well distributed rainfall or irrigation, the crop can be planted any time of the year.
05:21	06:20	Use cuttings from healthy strong cassava plants between 8 to 18 months old since younger material tends to be soft and susceptible to dehydration.
06:21	07:20	Apply fertilizers either organic i.e manure or compost or inorganic i.e myriad or potash so as to supply nutrients that are lacking in the soil.
07:21	08:25	Organic waste such as animal manure, kitchen waste and plant materials can also be collected, composted and applied to the cassava field.
08:26	09:20	The soil must be moist at the time of planting the cassava, otherwise irrigation is essential.
09:21	10:05	Pests and diseases like the mosaic disease, cassava leaf spot etc can be controlled by using disease free sticks when planting.
10:06	10:51	When harvesting, use cassava stem to lift from the ground using hands. Pull the plant carefully and do not drag the roots.

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