HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS | Page 17

A COMPREHENSIVE & PRACTICAL GUIDE ON HOW TO START CASSAVA FARMING & PROCESSING BUSINESS By: Micheal B. O. POST-PLANTING WEED CONTROL ON CASSAVA PLANTATION If you didn't use a total herbicide before planting cassava, it is advisable to spray your cassava plantation with selective herbicide within five days of planting. 5 litres of Primextra per hectare is recommended. A litres goes for #1500. TYPES AND RATES OF FERTILIZER USE IN CASSAVA FARMING The number of NPK fertilizer bags to be applied per hectare of a farmland of cassava are given below. NPK 15:15:15 ==> 12 (50 kg) bags/ha NPK 20:10:10 ==> 9 (50 kg) bags/ha NPK 12:12:17 ==> 15 (50 kg) bags/ha The fertilizer is applied on the farmland in a ring eight weeks after planting the cassava stems. The rings must be 6cm thick and placed 10cm away from the plant. Ensure that the chemical does not touch your cassava stem or leaves. PEST CONTROL FOR CASSAVA FARM In many regions, the cassava plant is not normally affected by diseases or pests. However, in other regions it may be attacked by the following pests: Insects: Animals: Some insects affect the plant directly (locusts, beetles and ants), while others affect it indirectly through the transfer of viruses (aphids). Rats, goats and wild pigs are probably the most troublesome because they feed on the tubers, especially in areas adjacent to forests. Bemisia tabaci transmits serious viral diseases to cassava plants Mealybugs have devastated cassava fields in sub-Saharan Africaand Thailand Hotlines: 09090040011, 09031617999. Natural enemy of cassava mealybugs: the tiny wasp Anagyrus lopezi 17. Other natural enemies of insect /pests: Coccinellidae beetles The African lacewing E-mail: [email protected]