HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS HOW TO MAKE WEALTH IN CASSAVA FARMING BUSINESS | Page 34

A COMPREHENSIVE & PRACTICAL GUIDE ON HOW TO START CASSAVA FARMING & PROCESSING BUSINESS By: Micheal B. O. MECHANICAL Do double or triple harrowing before planting. Weed with hoes or adapted cutlasses 3 or more times depending on agroecology and type of weed. More weeding times is required in the forest than in the savanna. Weeds with stolon, rhizome, tubers or deep taproot require more frequent weeding. On a large scale you will require tractor operated weeders. CHEMICAL Several pre and post emergence herbicides exist but only few of them are available in Nigeria for controlling weeds in a cassava farm. In the forest zone apply pre-emergence herbicides like premextra or dual while in the savanna zone you can apply primextra, dual or cotoran multi immediately after planting to keep your farm weed free for periods ranging from 4-8 weeks. Consult manufacturers’ labels for guidelines and follow the rates specified for each chemical. Apply post-emergence herbicides (paraquat or gramozone) as soon as weeds begin to emerge after the pre-emergence herbicide treatment. They are basically non-selective, localised contact herbicides and should be sprayed with a guard to ensure that only the weeds receive the chemical. If your field is infested with difficult-to-control weeds like Spear grass (Imperata cylindrica) carefully apply systemic herbicides like Glyphosate, Fusilade or Sarosate. Follow the manufacturers’ guidelines for each of the herbicides. Weather conditions affect herbicide performance. Do not apply herbicides soon after a heavy rainfall or when it is likely to rain to avoid diluting the chemical and reducing its effectiveness. For best results gramozone should be sprayed only when you are sure of having at least 3 hours of sunshine after spraying. For cost effectiveness and results use skilled staff for chemical weed control. FERTILIZER RATE AND TIME OF APPLICATION Ideally, fertilizer recommendations should be based on soil analysis but when this is not done then use the land history and vegetation as a guide. Lands naturally inundated with Chromolaena odorata (Akintola taku) as weed can support a good cassava crop without fertilizer while the presence of Spear grass or poorly established vegetation is a signal for fertilization. Under continuous cultivation in the forest zone apply a first dose of 200kg (4 bags) of N: P: K 15:15:15 per hectare or a full small matchbox per plant at 4-6 weeks after planting (June-July). A second dose of 100kg of muriate of potash or a half-full small matchbox per plant at 14-16 weeks after planting (September) should also be applied. In the savanna zone, apply 200kg (4 bags) of N: P: K 15:15:15 per hectare or a full small matchbox per plant at 4-6 weeks after planting and a second dose of 50kg of muriate of potash per hectare. Apply fertilizer in holes 5 cm deep and 10 cm radius from the plant. Do not apply fertilizer if the soil is dry. Hotlines: 09090040011, 09031617999. 34. E-mail: [email protected]