by Digisol 05 August, 2025 0 Comment 44 Views

Cassava Cultivation Tips for the Rainy Season: What Every New Farmer Should Know

Why Cassava Is Still King in Nigerian Agriculture

Cassava remains one of the most important staple crops in Nigeria. From fufu to garri, starch to animal feed, it feeds millions and fuels thousands of agribusinesses. For new farmers, cassava offers a low-risk, high-demand entry point into commercial farming especially during the rainy season.

But to get the best results, especially if you’re planting between May and September, you must pay attention to spacing, weed control, and early pest management all of which are critical during wet periods.

Let’s walk you through the essential tips that can set your cassava farm up for success.

Tip #1: Use the Rainy Season to Your Advantage

The rainy season (April to October) provides the natural moisture cassava stems need to take root. However, too much water can lead to rot or make fields hard to manage.

✅ What to Do:

·       Plant on raised ridges or mounds to prevent waterlogging.

·       Avoid planting during heavy downpours. Wait for 1-2 days after rain, when the soil is moist but not soggy.

·       Use disease-free, mature stem cuttings (20-25 cm) from healthy mother plants.

Tip #2: Proper Spacing = Bigger Tubers

Many new farmers make the mistake of planting cassava too closely, thinking it will yield more. In reality, tight spacing leads to:

·       Poor root development

·       Nutrient competition

·       Higher chances of disease

✅ Best Practice:

·       Use a spacing of 1 meter by 1 meter (about 10,000 plants per hectare).

·       This allows enough air, sunlight, and root expansion leading to larger, healthier tubers.

·       In swampy or water-prone areas, increase spacing slightly for better airflow.

Tip #3: Weed Early, Weed Often

During the rainy season, weeds grow very fast sometimes faster than the cassava itself. Left uncontrolled, they reduce yield by up to 60%.

✅ What You Should Do:

·       Weed 2-3 weeks after planting (WAP) when plants are still young.

·       Do another round of weeding at 6-8 WAP before the cassava canopy closes.

·       If you're using herbicides, apply selective, cassava-safe brands. Always follow instructions or consult your local agro dealer.

Tip #4: Don’t Wait for Pests to Strike

Cassava is hardy, but not invincible. The cassava mosaic virus, stem borers, and grasshoppers can be serious problems if not tackled early especially in the warm, humid rainy season.

✅ Protect Your Farm:

·       Use clean planting material from reliable sources (e.g. agro stations or verified suppliers on DigiSolFarm).

·       Intercrop with legumes like beans or groundnuts they repel some pests and fix nitrogen in the soil.

·       For light infestations, use neem oil or ash spray.

·       Avoid over-fertilizing, which attracts leaf pests.

Bonus Tip: Consider Intercropping

If you're working with limited land, intercropping cassava with maize, melon, or vegetables helps maximize space and income. It also reduces erosion during heavy rain and suppresses weeds naturally.

Post-Planting: What’s Next?

Once your cassava is established (by 3 months), maintenance becomes easier:

·       Reduce weeding (the canopy will now suppress growth).

·       Apply compost or poultry manure near the base (but not touching the stem).

·       Start planning your marketing you can list your future harvest in advance on DigiSolFarm to connect with bulk buyers or processors.