Quality cassava cuttings close to the fields
Seed-bulking farms for cassava provide quality planting material to smallholder farmers directly close to their field. Seed-bulking farms are decentralized systems of production of large amounts of cutting from improved cassava varieties that are free of pest and diseases. In addition to facilitating access to improved varieties, these farms reduce the cost of transporting cuttings to the farmers’ field, thus increasing the profitability.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
per ha planted every 16 months
Open source / open access
Cassava growing in Africa faces a number of challenges in terms of the distribution and availability of disease-resistant planting material:
The distribution of cassava stem cuttings is problematic as they rapidly lose their sprouting vigor when stored. Moreover, their bulk and weight drive up transport costs, limiting the supply of improved cassava planting material.
Rural communities with poor road connectivity in remote parts of African countries face severe limitations in accessing disease-resistant cassava planting material, affecting their agricultural productivity and food security.
Smallholder farmers often rely on seed companies and institutions with limited geographical coverage, restricting their access to improved cassava varieties and pest- and disease-free planting materials.
The establishment of cassava seed-bulking farms offers promising solutions to these challenges :
The Cassava seed bulking farms technology may be of interest to planting material Multiplier, and users (cassava farmers, aggregators).
Planting material Multiplier
The establishment of Cassava seed bulking farms offers a cost-effective solution to address the challenges of limited propagation and contamination in improved cassava varieties.
To efficiently multiply planting materials, you need:
Ensure compliance with national phytosanitary regulations and obtain a licence for setting up Cassava seed bulking farm activities.
To estimate the profitability associated with using this technology, consider factors such as:
For better optimization of this technology, it is recommended to associate this technology with Disease resistant cassava varieties, Golden cassava varieties (Vitamin A fortified), Cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content.
Your potential customers include wholesale distributors of cassava farmers, as well as development projects, government agencies, NGOs and aggregators. Establishing robust partnerships with partners is crucial for the success of your Cassava seed bulking farm business.
Users
Cassava seed-bulking farms benefit users by providing access to high-quality planting materials, enhancing yields, and creating opportunities for community-based enterprise development.
As key partners,you can also require planting material multipliers who can efficiently propagate the planting materials.
To use this technology efficiently,
For better optimization of this technology, it is recommended to associate this technology with Disease resistant cassava varieties, Golden cassava varieties (Vitamin A fortified), Cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content.
Evaluating these aspects will help determine the potential profit realised from implementing the Cassava seed bulking farm technology.
Adults 18 and over: Positive high
Adults, particularly farmers, benefit from increased yields and improved cassava varieties, enhancing food security and generating higher incomes.
The poor: Positive high
Seed-bulking farms bring these materials closer to their communities, reducing the costs of procurement and transportation.
Under 18: Positive low
Establishing seed-bulking farms provides new opportunities for young people to engage in agriculture, especially in managing the farms, handling logistics, and marketing improved cassava stem cuttings.
Women: Positive high
The technology simplifies the process of obtaining and planting cassava cuttings, reducing the time and effort women typically invest in agricultural activities.
Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable
By providing access to disease-resistant and drought-tolerant cassava varieties, seed-bulking farms can enhance the climate adaptability of cassava crops. These improved varieties are more resilient to extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods, making them suitable for cultivation in regions facing climate challenges.
Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement
Farmers have access to high-quality planting materials that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and climate variability, making them better equipped to deal with changing environmental conditions.
Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity
The introduction of multiple improved varieties reduces dependence on a single type of cassava, thus supporting agro-biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem resilience.
Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released
Seed-bulking farms are localized, which minimizes the need for transporting planting materials over long distances, thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions related to logistics.
Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health
Disease-resistant cassava varieties require fewer pesticides and herbicides, reducing environmental pollution and safeguarding local ecosystems from harmful chemical runoff.
Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility
Seed-bulking farms promote good soil management practices, including the use of pest-resistant varieties that require fewer chemical inputs, thereby maintaining soil fertility and structure.
Water use: Same amount of water used
The ability to cultivate resilient varieties reduces the need for intensive irrigation practices, thus conserving water resources and contributing to the sustainable use of water in agriculture.
Country | Tested | Adopted |
---|---|---|
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Tested | Adopted |
Kenya | Tested | Adopted |
Nigeria | Tested | Adopted |
Tanzania | Tested | Adopted |
Zambia | Tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arid | ||||
Semiarid | ||||
Subhumid | ||||
Humid |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
By improving access to high-quality cassava planting materials, seed-bulking farms boost productivity, allowing smallholder farmers to produce more and earn higher incomes. This helps lift communities, particularly in rural areas, out of poverty.
The technology enables farmers to access disease-resistant and high-yielding cassava varieties, which increases agricultural productivity. This results in greater food availability, reducing hunger and improving nutrition in regions where cassava is a staple crop.
The technology improves agricultural efficiency, enabling farmers to produce more with fewer inputs, which drives economic growth and development in rural communities.
To establish a Cassava Seed-Bulking Farm, the following steps are required:
Last updated on 22 September 2024