Production Challenges of Cassava and Prospects

Cassava is one of the most productive crops in the world. It continuously provides a sustained food supply when other crops fail thereby alleviating famine conditions. Cassava is relatively drought tolerant. Some improved cassava varieties combine weed suppression with high yields; others as well show resistance to diseases and insect pests, while some have good qualities for consumers’ acceptance and low cyanide content. Biological control will continuously be exploited to control cassava pests. Prussic acid content in cassava tubers hampers its utilization in unprocessed state. When planting commences as soon as land preparation had taken place, there is reduced initial weed pressure on the crop. Inclusion of cover crops like melon or cowpea reduces the excessive need for weed control. Indications abound that tillage activities such as ploughing and harrowing enhance the effectiveness of especially pre-emergence herbicides. A significant contribution towards increased cassava production would be the provision of disease resistance, low cyanide content and high yielding cassava stems for distribution to farmers at appropriate times and at affordable prices. Keywords: Cassava production, weed control, soil conditions, diseases and pest