Mechanized Cassava Planting and Harvesting

Empowering Cassava Farmers: More Yield, Less Labor, Better Quality

Mechanized cassava planting and harvesting technology is a specialized machinery of two-row planters and harvesters, typically operated by tractors. This technology significantly improves the efficiency of cassava farming by reducing labor requirements, increasing productivity, and minimizing root damage during harvesting. It not only addresses the labor bottleneck associated with manual planting and harvesting but also plays a vital role in increasing cassava yields, making cassava farming more competitive, and reducing production costs.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 7/9

Positive or neutral impact

Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: Positive low
Under 18: Positive low
Women: Positive low

Positive or neutral impact

Climate adaptability: It adapts somewhat well
Adaptability for farmers: It helps a lot
Biodiversity: It doesn't hurt them
Carbon footprint: It doesn't reduce emissions at all
Environment: It makes a big difference
Soil quality: It doesn't harm the soil's health and fertility
Water usage: It uses the same amount of water

Problem

Mechanized cassava planting and harvesting technology addresses several key issues in cassava production in Africa:

Low Yields: Cassava farmers in Africa often struggle with low yields of 10t/ha, making them less competitive in the global market where higher yields are expected.
Labor-Intensive Operations: Manual planting and harvesting of cassava are labor-intensive and time-consuming processes, requiring a significant workforce.
Root Damage: Manual harvesting can result in high root damage, especially during the dry season, leading to yield losses.
Labor Bottleneck: The reliance on manual labor creates a bottleneck in cassava production and limits productivity.
Competitiveness: To enhance the competitiveness of the cassava sub-sector, there is a need to overcome these issues and increase yields while reducing production costs.

Solution

The mechanized cassava planting and harvesting technology offers several advantages:

Increased Yield: This technology significantly boosts cassava yields, aiming to achieve a 38% yield increase and minimum of 25 tons per hectare when combined with the right fertilizer use, improved varieties and weed management practices, making African cassava farmers more competitive in the global market.

Labor Efficiency: Mechanization reduces the labor-intensive nature of planting and harvesting cassava. For example, a two-row mechanical planter can plant 7-10 hectares in a day, far more efficiently than manual planting with 8 to 10 laborers.

Cost Savings: Mechanized planting and harvesting are more cost-effective, with a two-row mechanical planter being 50% cheaper than manual planting. This cost efficiency benefits cassava farmers.

Minimized Root Damage: Manual harvesting can lead to root damage, especially during the dry season. Mechanized harvesting reduces root damage, ensuring better crop quality.

Enhanced Competitiveness: Overall, this technology aims to enhance the competitiveness of the cassava sub-sector by increasing productivity and reducing production costs, aligning African cassava farming with global standards.

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Cost: $$$ 367 USD

Mechanical cassava production

50 %

Reduced of manual cost operation

13 USD/ha

Cost of mechanized planting

25 USD/ha

Cost of mechanized harvesting

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	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.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
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.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 5: gender equality

Goal 13: climate action

The steps involved in mechanized cassava planting and harvesting are:

Mechanical Planting:

Farm Preparation: Prior to mechanical planting, prepare the farm for cassava cultivation.
Choose the Planter: Select a two-row or four-row mechanical planter designed for flat ground.
Tractor Selection: Ensure you have a tractor with a minimum power of 90 hp (67.14 kW) to operate the planter.
Stake Cutting: Install a power take-off (PTO) driven circular saw to cut cassava stakes into cuttings, typically ranging from 14 ± 3 cm to 149 ± 3 cm in length.
Planting Depth: Maintain a planting depth between 60 and 100 mm below the soil surface.
Spacing: Plant cassava with a row spacing of 700 mm, and no ridges are needed for this model of planter.

Mechanical Harvesting:

Select the Harvester: Choose a two-row or four-row harvester, similar to the planter, for mechanical harvesting.
Tractor Requirements: Ensure you have a tractor with a minimum power of 120 hp (89.52 kW) to operate the harvester.
Digging Depth: Maintain a digging depth between 300 to 400 mm.
Harvesting Rate: Mechanical harvesting can achieve a rate between 0.3 and 0.5 hectares per hour (ha/h).