Cassava – manihot esculenta and its value chain
Welcome to the Introduction to Cassava Farming category, your starting point for understanding how this vital crop is cultivated, managed, and sustained.
Cassava is one of the world’s most adaptable and widely consumed staple crops, playing a major role in food security and rural livelihoods. In this category, you’ll discover essential information for new and aspiring cassava farmers who want to understand the crop from the ground up.
Whether you are new to cassava or looking to refine your skills, this section is designed to introduce you to the core concepts of cassava farming while laying the groundwork for more advanced topics in crop production and agribusiness.
In this section of the Cassava Pathway, you’ll find blog posts that offer a clear and accessible breakdown of cassava’s botanical characteristics, farming requirements, and value within both local and international food systems.
We explore cassava from multiple perspectives:
Basic crop identification and how cassava grows
The origin and global importance of cassava as a food and industrial crop
Nutritional value and food security potential
Varieties and types of cassava used for food and processing
Its role as a climate-resilient crop in tropical regions
These posts are written to provide clarity for beginners while also serving as a reference point for educators, agricultural extension workers, and value chain stakeholders.
Cassava cultivation is not just about growing a root crop; it’s a key entry point into the broader cassava value chain.
Every tuber harvested becomes raw material for flours, starches, animal feeds, and even biofuels.
This makes cassava farming a foundational economic activity in many regions across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.
Because cassava grows well in marginal soils and requires fewer inputs than many other crops, it is a strategic crop for smallholder farmers and food security programs.
However, achieving good yields and sustainable production requires more than just planting and waiting.
This category introduces you to the core farming practices needed to succeed.
We provide evidence-based farming guides and insights tailored to different climates and soil conditions.
Some of the topics you’ll come across include:
Site and soil preparation for cassava cultivation
How to select healthy cassava stems for planting
Best planting techniques and spacing guidelines
Water and weed management practices
Integrated pest and disease management
Post-harvest practices to maintain tuber quality
All articles aim to simplify cassava farming into manageable steps, while still offering the technical depth needed to inform better decisions on the farm.
This category is particularly useful for first-time farmers, agricultural students, and development practitioners working on rural food systems.
Whether you’re launching a small cassava farm or training others to do so, you’ll find practical advice written in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.
We also connect cassava farming to broader issues like climate adaptation, land use planning, and gender inclusion in agriculture, helping you see the full picture of what cassava cultivation represents in today’s world.
At Cassava Pathway, we believe every cassava farmer deserves access to accurate, timely, and farmer-focused information.
This Introduction to Cassava Farming category is your gateway to becoming part of a global network of growers who are improving yields, protecting natural resources, and building stronger food systems, one cassava field at a time.
Start exploring our guides and insights today and take your first step toward successful cassava farming.
Learn about the ideal climate conditions for cassava farming, including temperature, rainfall, and sunlight requirements to ensure healthy growth, high yield, and the impact of climate change.
Learn about effective cassava weed management strategies for cassava cultivation, from grass weeds to sedges. Discover best practices and advanced techniques to boost crop yield and maintain healthy fields.
Learn how to apply fertilizer to cassava plant for optimal growth and yield. Also know about essential nutrient needs, soil tests, and effective application techniques for better productivity and sustainable farming practices.
Understand the different cassava planting methods, from traditional stem cuttings to modern techniques. Learn how to choose the best method for maximum yield, sustainability, and resilience in your farming practices.
Wondering when to plant cassava aka yuca for the best results? Learn the best time to plant cassava and get simple tips for a healthy, high-yield harvest every season.
Let’s talk about the cassava industry, from farming to global trade. Discover its role in food security, key producers, market challenges, and business opportunities in agribusiness.
Knowing how to preserve cassava stems for the next farming season will ensure healthy growth and bountiful yields the next season.
When it comes to cassava cultivation, one of the most important aspects is proper stem cutting, and knowing how to cut cassava stems the right way makes the difference.
Achieving high yields in cassava farming depends heavily on meeting the soil requirements for cassava.
When growing cassava, achieving the standard intra-row and inter-row spacing for cassava is essential to maximize yield and ensure the healthy development of the crop.