It so obvious that most Nigerian farmers do the first thing last when going into crop production (Cassava in this context). Most farmers never do their market survey and create a niche in the market before  planting. yes we know agriculture is lucrative, we also know that there are market for all agricultural produce but mind you its dependent on the market force. The Nigeria of today lacks a well structure  pricing system that determines the price of commodities in the market and this is the bane most producers in the agricultural industry are facing.

Today, we would  streamline our discussion on how to cultivate cassava and get bountiful yield. some farmers have claimed that have gotten 60 to 80 tons on an hectare of cassava, can this be possible well for me its a no for now until proven otherwise. every farmer wants to reduce cost of production with aim of maximizing optimal output, well I have no contention against this but when the farmer becomes a miser there would be a consequence for it.

let us quickly look at the steps to take to be a successful cassava farmer.

STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL CASSAVA CULTIVATION
STEP 1
DECIDE YOUR MARKET
You have to first decide what you want to do with the cassava tubers after harvest, as this will guide you on the variety of stem to purchase. It could be for garri making, starch production, fufu making, cassava flour production, and so on. Have an idea of your potential customers or off takers, and probably have an official off-takers agreement with them.

STEP 2
SITE SELECTION/PREPARATION
Look for land that will make you incure the minimum cost and get the maximum benefit
Know your land area, this will help you in procuring the right quantity of cassava stem and other inputs
Select a fertile soil that has most of the nutrient requirement of the crop
Do not use bulldozer to clear a land on which cassava will be grown. If a bulldozer must be used, the blade must not touch the soil as it will remove the top soil that will provide nutrients for young cassava stems as they sprout

STEP 3
OBTAIN GOOD SEEDS/VARIETIES
To be profitable in your Cassava farming you should make a careful selection of your cassava variety to avoid loss.

Use of improved varieties: Varieties that have high starch content and dry matter content are preferred e.g TME 419, TME 7 (Oko iyawo), TMS 98/0581, TMS 98/0505,TMS 30572 4 (2) 1425.
Cassava varieties that store well in the soil and are tolerant to diseases
Varieties that grow fast and gives good yields
Also those that have longer shelf life before processing.

STEP 4
PRACTICE CROP ROTATION
Crop rotation is the systematic planting of different crops in a particular order over several years in the same growing space.

This process helps maintain nutrients in the soil
To avoid the attack of pests of the same crop
Reduce soil erosion

STEP 5
MAKE HEAPS OR RIDGES
Making of heaps or ridges are optional nowadays, but heap making is comparatively better than planting on zero-tilled soil, the loosed earth helps the tubers to develop faster and easier. It result in bigger tubers comparatively.

STEP 6
ADOPT APPROPRIATE PLANTING RATE/DISTANCE
The quantity of cassava recommended for 1 ha is 60 bundles of cassava stem.
Cassava Stem cuttings 25 cm long should be planted at a spacing of 1 m x 1 m.
Maintain 100% cassava planting rate by replacing dead or non- viable stems.

http://armi.com.ng/16-steps-to-a-su…sava-cultivation/