Growing Cassava: From Land Choice & Planting To Harvest

The Best Conditions For Growing Cassava

When growing cassava, recreate its native tropical environment. This crop demands consistent warmth and humidity throughout the growing season. Be cautious of temperature extremes: anything above 90°F (32°C) or below 68°F (20°C) will stress the plant, and temperatures under 50°F (10°C) will stop crop growth entirely. Sunlight is non-negotiable for the growing plant — place it in a location with full, direct sun and avoid any areas with shade, as the plant cannot tolerate limited light.

Instead of guessing or relying on limited local information when assessing and tracking growing conditions, farmers interested in or currently engaged in cassava cultivation can access detailed, field-specific data in EOSDA Crop Monitoring to:

• identify the optimal fields by analyzing historical weather patterns, thereby minimizing costly trial and error.
• better plan field operations and protect crops from weather-related stress by checking up-to-14-day weather forecasts.

Selecting And Preparing The Land For Growing Cassava

Growers must zero in on fields that offer the best natural conditions for root crop success, such as mostly flat ground that prevents standing water and soil erosion. Watch for signs of healthy soil like active earthworms and vegetation growth while steering clear of land that’s hosted troublesome crops or repeated pest problems. The ideal field sets up farmers for easier planting, fewer challenges, and a higher chance of a good cassava harvest.

How To Select A Field For Growing Cassava

When selecting a field for cassava farming, prioritize flat or gently sloped terrain with a gradient not exceeding 15%. Such terrain reduces the risk of soil erosion and simplifies water management. Field accessibility is also important, so consider the ease of planting, weeding, and harvesting activities beforehand.

The land for crop growing should ideally be fertile, as indicated by the presence of certain native plants or earthworm activity. Consider the crop rotation history to ensure a healthier environment for growing cassava. Avoid fields with a history of pest or disease infestations, as these can severely impact yields. When preparing for a new plantation, consider growing on the land that has been left fallow for 3–5 years, which allows the soil to regenerate and accumulate essential nutrients naturally.

Land Preparation For Planting Cassava

Preparing land for growing the crop involves different approaches depending on the previous land use:

• For previously cultivated land, the primary goal is controlling weeds and creating a suitable seedbed.
• For short fallow land, especially with legume cover crops like mucuna or pueraria, farmers should incorporate the plant biomass into the soil or use it as mulch to improve soil organic matter.
• For long fallow land or mature secondary forest, farmers should first cut vegetation and use controlled burning to manage woody debris.
• Where possible, cultivators should minimize clearing virgin forest areas for farms to preserve ecological balance.

Generally, the objective of each land preparation activity is to create a clean growing medium for the crop while preserving soil structure and organic matter. By using Slope and Elevation maps in EOSDA Crop Monitoring you can assess the topography of your potential or actual cassava growing fields to identify areas that may require additional clearing or specific tillage practices to ensure optimal growing medium.

How To Till The Soil Before Planting Cassava

Agronomic specialists recommend a multi-step tillage process for optimal root crop establishment, particularly in industrial agricultural settings. The most effective approach involves a combination of deep ploughing to 6–12 inches (15–30 cm), followed by disc harrowing to about 4 inches (10 cm), and final ridging. These steps help remove weeds, improve soil structure, increase aeration, and create the perfect growing medium for root development. For farms in sandy growing areas, lighter touch methods can work better, protecting soil structure while giving cassava cuttings the room they need to grow.

How To Choose Variety And Plant Cassava

The growing season for cassava is typically longer than for most other crops. To avoid regret in the next six to twelve months, or even longer, it is critical to select the right variety, properly plant cuttings, and replace failures as soon as possible.

How To Choose Types And Varieties Of Cassava To Grow

When choosing cassava for commercial farming, consider improved varieties such as TME 419, TMS 98/002, and Pro-Vit A that offer high yields, disease resistance (particularly against cassava mosaic virus), and adaptability to local conditions. Engage with local farmers and agricultural extension services to understand which varieties grow and perform well in your area based on their experiences. Also consider the end use of this root vegetable in your region — whether it’s for direct consumption or industrial processing (e.g., starch production). Some varieties may be better suited for specific products like garri or fufu.

How To Prepare Cuttings

For most growers, propagation through stem cuttings (stakes) is preferred due to its simplicity, efficiency, and ability to produce genetically consistent plants. While seed propagation is possible, it is less common due to the challenges associated with maintaining desirable traits and achieving reliable germination. To ensure successful propagation, follow these practices when preparing cassava stakes for planting:

• select stakes from disease-free plants, avoiding any signs of mosaic virus or anthracnose;
• cut stakes at least 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) long, 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter, preferably from the stem’s bottom end, with mature bark and no leaves;
• use clean, sharp instruments exclusively dedicated to healthy plant material to prevent pathogen transmission;
• make clean, precise cuts without splintering or damaging the bark to maintain stake viability;
• bury stakes in mulch, bundle them in plastic bags, or keep them in water to store for a longer time.

How To Grow Cassava From Seeds Or Cuttings

As we’ve already mentioned, there are two ways how to propagate cassava plants. Let’s consider them in more detail:

• Seed propagation is not recommended for farming due to low germination rates (less than 50%). Primarily used in breeding programs to select seedlings with fewer and smaller roots.
• Stake (cutting) propagation is the preferred method for the commercial cultivation of cassava. Use healthy, pest-free stem segments 3–15 inches (9–30 cm) long with at least one node. Plant cuttings vertically or flat 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) below the soil surface, ensuring optimal moisture and nutrient access. It’s best to plant after the frost threat has passed, either manually or by mechanical planting machines.

How To Decide On Cassava Planting Distance

Crop variety and cultivation purpose typically define how closely plants can be spaced:

• Classic grid method. This standard method uses a uniform 39-inch (1-meter) square spacing, ensuring each plant has equal access to soil nutrients and sunlight. With this configuration, farmers can expect approximately 4,000 plants/acre (10,000 plants/hectare), which works well for most traditional cassava varieties.
• Vertical method. Designed specifically for upright, non-branching varieties, this approach allows for denser planting with rows spaced 39 inches (1 meter) apart and plants positioned every 20 to 30 inches (0.5 to 0.75 meters). This method maximizes land use while maintaining adequate room for each plant’s growth and development.
• Stem multiplication method. Ideal for nurseries and stem multiplication projects, this ultra-dense configuration spaces plants just 20 inches (0.5 meters) apart in both directions. This approach prioritizes growing stems over root yield, making it perfect for agricultural research stations and seed multiplication programs.

Why And How To Replace Failures

In growing cassava, it is common to encounter failures where some cuttings do not germinate or establish properly. This can significantly impact plant density and, consequently, yield. So, you’ll need to replace these failures promptly to maintain optimal plant populations.

Take out and discard any cuttings that have not been sprouted two weeks after planting. For drought-related failures, hold off on replacing them until it rains. Replace failed cuttings only with healthy ones and insert them in new holes.

How To Care For Cassava During The Growing Season

Fertilizing cassava and managing its pests, diseases, and weeds are vital care practices that directly affect crop yield, quality, and farming sustainability. Proper nutrient management ensures that plants receive the necessary elements to grow well, while effective threat control minimizes competition and damage from different stressors.

Fertilization For Promoting Root Growth

Cassava is a nutrient-hungry crop that can quickly deplete soil resources. While new or freshly cleared lands may not require immediate fertilization, long-term cultivation in the same growing area demands strategic nutrient management. In cassava fertilizer requirements, phosphorus and potassium are the most important nutrients. Be careful with nitrogen — excessive fertilizer, over 90 lb/ac (100 kg/ha), can lead to growing lush foliage but fewer storage roots. Focus on fertilizing during the first few months of plant growth.

Small farmers often use organic fertilizers like cattle or duck manure to replenish nutrients, while large-scale commercial growing typically relies on synthetic fertilizers. Whichever approach you choose, applying nutrients precisely matters most. This is where EOSDA Crop Monitoring’s variable rate application (VRA) maps come in handy.

By analyzing cloudless satellite images, we generate detailed vegetation-level maps of your field. These maps allow you to apply fertilizers more precisely: increase application in low-vegetation areas, where the nutrient deficit is the main limiting factor, while reducing application in medium- and high-vegetation areas to prevent overfertilizing. You can download these maps in different formats compatible with agricultural machinery to easily implement variable rate fertilizing in your fields.

Pest, Disease, And Weed Management In Cassava Fields

Pests and diseases can lead to significant yield reductions. For example, cassava mosaic disease can cause root yield losses ranging from 15% to 24% annually, translating to economic losses of $1 to $2.3 billion in Africa alone ^{Chavez, V. A. et al. (2021, July 27). Modelling cassava production and pest management under biotic and abiotic constraints. Plant Molecular Biology, 109(3):325–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-021-01170-8.}. Implementing integrated management strategies that combine growing resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological controls, and careful use of chemicals can help mitigate these challenges effectively.

Effective pest, disease, and weed control, as well as proper fertilization, can enhance growth rates and reduce the time to harvest.

How Long Does It Take For Cassava To Grow?

Cassava typically grows from 8 to 24 months. Early-maturing varieties (e.g., Sree Jaya, TME 419, and Zizila) are ready for harvesting in 6–12 months, while late-maturing varieties (e.g., Butamu, Disanka, Nsansi) can grow up to 24 months before harvest. Extreme drought or flooding can significantly delay growth and development.

When And How To Harvest Cassava

Most varieties produce tubers ready for food in about 8 to 12 months. However, the sweet spot to harvest cassava is around 18–20 months, when roots are packed with the most starch and nutrients. After this, root growth and especially starch production decline, while roots become woody. Digital harvest monitoring solutions help improve harvest timing across large fields.

The choice of cassava harvesting method primarily depends on a farm’s resources and soil texture. Mechanical harvesters perform best in dry, hard soils, while manual methods may be more effective in looser soils:

• Manual harvesting. Small farmers often use hand tools and manual labor, carefully cutting (topping) stems before harvesting and then digging out roots.
• Semi-mechanized harvesting. The process involves using basic machinery to assist with the digging process while still requiring manual labor for root collection.
• Mechanized harvesting. Larger growers invest in harvesting machines that can dig up, lift, and clean roots in one quick pass, saving time and reducing worker strain.

Harvest the roots as soon as you top the plants. Delays can cause sprouting and a big drop in starch content.

Harvested roots start spoiling within two days. Keeping them in a cool place can extend their life to about a week, giving farmers a bit more flexibility in processing and selling the crop.