Can Cassava Farmers in Kenya get higher yields?

The average cassava yield in Kenya is 25 tons per acre.

Can cassava farmers get more than 25 tons?

If so, what is the best way?

Do farmers know the global demand for cassava?

There is a market for cassava ,a smart and potential food crop that has been ignored as the majority refer to it as a poor man's crop.

Kenya cassava farmers must change from the old archaic, primitive misconception of this crop and begin focusing on it for value addition and commercialization.

However, the cassava yields can reach 80 tonnes per hectare (32.4 tons per acre).

How can stakeholders, business people, and the government of Kenya increase cassava yields?

Cassava farmers in Kenya need technical, technological, and advisory support to enhance quality cassava production to meet global demand.

The demand for cassava and its constituents is high in the domestic economy. However, the supply has yet to meet the enormous demand. For instance, the supply-demand gap for High-Quality Cassava Flour stands at about 485,000 metric tonnes (MT) per annum, while the gap for cassava starch is about 290,000MT.

Kenya currently produces 1 million tonnes of cassava, most of which is consumed locally, but the country can have more than 3 million tonnes annually. Kenya 2019 developed the National Roots and Tuber Strategy to guide the development and production of the crop for industrial use in particular.

Ways of increasing Cassava Yields

• Planting treated stemsFarmers can get treated cassava stems from institutions like KALRO FARMING , Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service - Kephis , Kefri , International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) , and any other certified seed merchant distribution within the farmer's jurisdiction.
• Cassava is best grown on deep, free-draining grounds with reasonable fertility levels.
• Shallow soils, which may restrict tuber expansion, should be avoided.
• Waterlogged soils and swampy areas could be better for cassava production.
• Could you observe agronomic measures on soil management?
• Intercropping is not only for economic purposes and the provision of food but also improves production.