Commercialising Cassava Farming in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe Chapter Chair travelled to Marirangwe on 8th May 2022 to witness the training being held for the women and youth for cassava farming. The Zimbabwe Chapter provided 4000 cuttings of cassava. 40 women and youths were present and they each got 100 cuttings. The Chief of the Area was also present during the training. This project was facilitated to uplift the women in Marirangwe who were struggling to put food on the table and send their children to school. This area does not have any business opportunities for women and with the help of COMFWB, we want these women to be self-sufficient and commercialise cassava farming.
Cassava plays a particularly important role in agriculture in developing countries, because it does well in poor soils and with low rainfall (400-500 mm). Its wide harvesting window allows it to act as a famine reserve, field stored for many months makes it invaluable in managing labour schedules and means harvesting can be delayed until market or processing conditions are more favourable. Cassava is, therefore, highly acceptable in rural areas.
While cassava has had a long history in the rest of Africa, it is not a well-known crop in Zimbabwe. Cassava originated in South America and was introduced to Africa in the 16th century. It is now mostly grown in West Africa and the adjoining Congo basin, tropical South America and Southeast Asia. Generally, the crop requires a warm humid climate that is frost-free all year round. Maximum yields can be obtained where rainfall is fairly abundant. It can however withstand prolonged drought periods thus making it valuable in regions where annual rainfall is low or where seasonal distribution is irregular. Cassava is propagated by stem cuttings and planted during the warmer, rainy season months. Cassava is primarily grown for its roots but the whole plant can be used. The roots are hand-harvested. The upperparts of the stems with the leaves are cut off before harvesting the roots. The plant requires at least 10 months when irrigated to produce a crop. However, when it is grown under rain-fed conditions, it takes at least 15 months before harvest. Cassava yields can be quite high, as high as 20 to 35 tonnes/ha, but typical yields are 10-15 tonnes/ha.
The sign that the cassava is ready for collecting is the point at which the leaves turn yellow in shading and tumbling off from the stem. The principal stage in the collecting exercise is as a matter of first importance to remove the stems of the plant and set them up either available to be purchased or for planting in the following season. One of the benefits of cassava cultivation is that the stems are utilized for the planting and not the roots, in contrast to sweet potato, beans, maize, groundnut, and so on. You can uncover the roots which might be ready to move or for additional handling.
Cassava can truly be a productive business in Zimbabwe. It can be processed into starch and cassava flour. Cassava starch is used as a food thickener in the manufacturing of a variety of foods. Our beer industry also uses cassava in the production of our traditional beer which has a very big market. It is also used in medicinal production and glue production. There are so many uses for cassava and if it is properly commercialized can become a cash crop in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Chapter Chair travelled to Marirangwe on 8th May 2022 to witness the training being held for the women and youth for cassava farming. The Zimbabwe Chapter provided 4000 cuttings of cassava. 40 women and youths were present and they each got 100 cuttings. The Chief of the Area was also present during the training. This project was facilitated to uplift the women in Marirangwe who were struggling to put food on the table and send their children to school. This area does not have any business opportunities for women and with the help of COMFWB, we want these women to be self-sufficient and commercialise cassava farming.
Cassava plays a particularly important role in agriculture in developing countries, because it does well in poor soils and with low rainfall (400-500 mm). Its wide harvesting window allows it to act as a famine reserve, field stored for many months makes it invaluable in managing labour schedules and means harvesting can be delayed until market or processing conditions are more favourable. Cassava is, therefore, highly acceptable in rural areas.
While cassava has had a long history in the rest of Africa, it is not a well-known crop in Zimbabwe. Cassava originated in South America and was introduced to Africa in the 16th century. It is now mostly grown in West Africa and the adjoining Congo basin, tropical South America and Southeast Asia. Generally, the crop requires a warm humid climate that is frost-free all year round. Maximum yields can be obtained where rainfall is fairly abundant. It can however withstand prolonged drought periods thus making it valuable in regions where annual rainfall is low or where seasonal distribution is irregular. Cassava is propagated by stem cuttings and planted during the warmer, rainy season months. Cassava is primarily grown for its roots but the whole plant can be used. The roots are hand-harvested. The upperparts of the stems with the leaves are cut off before harvesting the roots. The plant requires at least 10 months when irrigated to produce a crop. However, when it is grown under rain-fed conditions, it takes at least 15 months before harvest. Cassava yields can be quite high, as high as 20 to 35 tonnes/ha, but typical yields are 10-15 tonnes/ha.
The sign that the cassava is ready for collecting is the point at which the leaves turn yellow in shading and tumbling off from the stem. The principal stage in the collecting exercise is as a matter of first importance to remove the stems of the plant and set them up either available to be purchased or for planting in the following season. One of the benefits of cassava cultivation is that the stems are utilized for the planting and not the roots, in contrast to sweet potato, beans, maize, groundnut, and so on. You can uncover the roots which might be ready to move or for additional handling.
Cassava can truly be a productive business in Zimbabwe. It can be processed into starch and cassava flour. Cassava starch is used as a food thickener in the manufacturing of a variety of foods. Our beer industry also uses cassava in the production of our traditional beer which has a very big market. It is also used in medicinal production and glue production. There are so many uses for cassava and if it is properly commercialized can become a cash crop in Zimbabwe.
