HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS | Page 27

A COMPREHENSIVE & PRACTICAL GUIDE ON HOW TO START CASSAVA FARMING & PROCESSING BUSINESS By: Micheal B. O. 1. Look for varieties with high dry matter and good food quality: Cassava storage roots consist mainly of water and dry matter. The dry matter is mainly starch and a little bit of fiber. The percentage of dry matter in the roots determines the quantity and quality of the products obtained after the roots are processed. Cassava varieties whose storage roots have 30% or more dry matter are said to have high dry matter content. Such varieties produce good quality products and are profitable for growers and market women. 2. Look for varieties with good mealiness: Mealiness refers to the cooking ability of cassava storage roots without processing. Mealy varieties are commonly called “sweet” cassava whilst non-mealy varieties are called “bitter” cassava. Bitter cassava requires processing before consumption and this is related to the total cyanide content (referred to as cyanogenic potential, CNP) in the storage roots. The higher the CNP of a variety, the greater the need to process its storage roots for safe consumption. If cassava leaves will be eaten, you can also consider the cooking quality of the leaves. 3. Look for varieties that bulk early: Bulking refers to the swelling of the storage roots as they are filled with stored food. Varieties that bulk early are better able to offset losses in storage root yield caused by weed competition, leaf-feeding pests, and disease than late maturing varieties. 4. Look for varieties with good ground storability: Ground storability is the ability of the mature cassava storage roots to stay in the ground for a long time without getting spoiled. Good ground storability prolongs the period over which the crop can be harvested. This reduces the duration of postharvest storage problems of fresh roots. 5. Look for varieties that are tolerant to weeds, pests, and diseases: Some cassava varieties tolerate weeds, pests, and diseases better than others. In selecting a variety to grow, it is advisable to consider how well the variety can compete with weeds, and resist pests and diseases. For example, if weeds are a problem you can look for adapted varieties which branch early, low, and often. Such varieties are able to develop a lot of branches and leaves quickly to shade the ground and prevent weeds from growing vigorously and becoming a problem. You can also find out if the variety has other features you may want. Table 2 lists some features of cassava varieties commonly grown in West and Central Africa. Scientists and extension agents can prepare a list similar to Table 2 for the cassava varieties growing in the locality. HOW DO I SELECT HEALTHY CASSAVA STEM CUTTINGS? 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 Hotlines: 09090040011, 09031617999. 27. E-mail: [email protected]